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McLaren 540 (2017)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 250 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,413

£201/month

MOT Pass Rate

96%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 35-50

3799cc Petrol

Great Choice

96% pass rate, £2,413/year to run. 14 points above average.

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Petrol3799cc9 years old250 tests22k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 3799cc)

~30 mpg

£1,958
Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200
Total per year£2,413
Per month£201/mo
Per week£46/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

96% MOT pass rate(Excellent)
0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data.

96% of MOT tests on McLaren 540s from 2017 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 7 years old. That's based on 250 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 22,117 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2017 models53rd of 540(top 10%)
Rank among McLaren models28th of 38(bottom half)
vs average of all models+14%(82% avg)
vs 2017 models average+9%(87% avg)
vs McLaren average-1%(97% avg)

Mileage Analysis

22,117

Average miles

vs

51,800

Expected for age

The average 2017 McLaren 540 had 22,117 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 51,800 miles for a 7-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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McLaren 540 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
2019100%4510,426 mi
201796%25022,117 mi
201699%8025,799 mi

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About the 2017 McLaren 540

The 2017 McLaren 540 is a luxury car. Our records list a 3799cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 250 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 10% of all 2017 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 22,117 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, McLaren 540 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2017 McLaren 540 Fuel Costs

The 3799cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2017 McLaren 540?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,413 (£201/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 96% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Buying a Used 2017 McLaren 540

At 9 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 9 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2017 McLaren 540 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrEst. Ins. GroupTotal/yr
McLaren 540(2017)96%£1,958£200Grp 35-50£2,413
Mercedes C(2016)88%£1,958£790Grp 35-50£3,153+£740
Audi A6(2016)89%£1,958£790Grp 35-50£3,153+£740
Porsche Macan(2015)91%£1,958£790Grp 35-50£3,003+£590
Volkswagen Touareg(2015)85%£1,958£790Grp 35-50£3,153+£740

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2017 McLaren 540

Is the 2017 McLaren 540 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 96% of MOT tests on 2017 McLaren 540s ended in a pass, from 250 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2017 McLaren 540 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,413 a year (£201 a month): £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2017 McLaren 540?

96% of 250 MOT tests on the 2017 McLaren 540 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 53rd of 540 models first registered in 2017 (top 10%).

What is the average mileage for a 2017 McLaren 540?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2017 McLaren 540 is 22,117 miles, which is significantly below the expected 51,800 miles for a 7-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the McLaren 540.

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