MP4-12C Spider Could Come Cheap at Auction

McLaren MP4-12C models are selling quite cheap these days, and this low-mileage Spider could be a steal. 

When the McLaren MP4-12C hit the scene, it was a big deal. It was, after all, the first time McLaren put out a car since the release of the iconic F1. Of course, it was the precursor to the legendary McLaren P1 and into legendary models like the Senna and Speedtail, as well. It’s a staple from a turning point in the company’s history, and, frankly, it has aged quite well. Despite all of this, a somewhat unfavorable reliability report and the passage of time have taken quite a toll on the value of these cars.

That presents a unique opportunity for those interested in buying one, though. This is a lot of car for the money people pay for them now, and this particular example on Cars and Bids has under 20,000 miles on the odometer. That said, these cars are known to have issues if they are not driven. So, that begs the question: is it worth the bid? Let’s take a look!

Small Mileage Means Big Problems?

According to users on the R/McLaren Subreddit, lower mileage MP4-12C models tend to have issues with seals rotting. In addition, many of them have condensation buildup in the head and tail lights. Though this particular example seems to be free of the latter. Still, the previous owners only managed an average of under 1,700 miles per year on this car. It’s definitely nicely preserved, but is it a financial and mechanical disaster waiting to happen? Worse still is that the tires are date-coded 2015 and 2013, and the comments report that it hasn’t had an oil change in four years. Despite the low mileage, McLaren recommends an oil change every 12 months if it hasn’t accumulated the recommended mileage for a change.

All that aside, this is still a phenomenal car. The MP4-12C has a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 that puts out a whopping 616 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. It’s rear wheel drive with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and is well-known for its remarkable handling characteristics and brutal acceleration. How brutal? It sprints form zero to 60 miles per hour in just 3.1 seconds. That’s still plenty fast by today’s standards, and this car is over a decade old!

Proceed Cautiously

If you’re looking for a pristine example of an MP4-12C, this might be an excellent option for you. However, in this case, more than ever, a pre-purchase inspection is probably a great idea. Additionally, having some preventative maintenance done upon receipt of the car would be a prudent move. That said, another example with even lower mileage only brought $95,500 on Cars and Bids last fall. So, if you’re looking for extreme performance under $100,000 and you’ve got the money to take care of some maintenance and tires, this is a great chance!

Photos: Cars and Bids