McLaren 540C (2017)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 36 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,563

£214/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 35-50

3799cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £2,563/year to run. 7 points above average.

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Petrol3799cc9 years old36 tests16k 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

£350

Total per year£2,563

Per month£214/mo

Per week£49/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

89% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the McLaren brand average of 97%.

89% of MOT tests on McLaren 540Cs from 2017 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 7 years old. That's based on 36 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 15,554 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2017 models271st of 540(bottom half)

Rank among McLaren models37th of 38(bottom 6%)

vs average of all models+7%(82% avg)

vs 2017 models average+2%(87% avg)

vs McLaren average-8%(97% avg)

Mileage Analysis

15,554

Average miles

51,800

Expected for age

The average 2017 McLaren 540C had 15,554 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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Similar Cars to Consider

Mercedes C

2016 · 3982cc Petrol

£3,153/year

88%

-1%

Audi A6

2016 · 3993cc Petrol

£3,153/year

89%

same

Porsche Macan

2015 · 3604cc Petrol

£3,003/year

91%

+2%

Volkswagen Touareg

2015 · 3600cc Petrol

£3,153/year

85%

-4%

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About the 2017 McLaren 540C

The 2017 McLaren 540C is a luxury car. Our records list a 3799cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 36 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2017, the average MOT pass rate is 87%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 15,554 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, McLaren 540C 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 540C 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 540C?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,563 (£214/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 2017 McLaren 540C

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. Note: with only 36 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

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 540C stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
McLaren 540C(2017)	89%	£1,958	£200	Grp 35-50	£2,563
Mercedes C(2016)	88%	£1,958	£790	Grp 35-50	£3,153+£590
Audi A6(2016)	89%	£1,958	£790	Grp 35-50	£3,153+£590
Porsche Macan(2015)	91%	£1,958	£790	Grp 35-50	£3,003+£440
Volkswagen Touareg(2015)	85%	£1,958	£790	Grp 35-50	£3,153+£590

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 540C

Is the 2017 McLaren 540C reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 89% of MOT tests on 2017 McLaren 540Cs ended in a pass, from 36 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2017 McLaren 540C cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,563 a year (£214 a month): £1,958 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

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

89% of 36 MOT tests on the 2017 McLaren 540C ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 271st of 540 models first registered in 2017 (bottom half).

What is the average mileage for a 2017 McLaren 540C?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2017 McLaren 540C is 15,554 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.