McLaren 720S V8 MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 7 model years and 2,308 tests, the McLaren 720S V8 passes its MOT 97.0% of the time. All cars of a similar age fail 10.6% of the time, so this is 7.6pp better than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are other defects, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — other defects (1.5%) and lighting & signalling (1.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are registration plates, headlamp aim and coil spring — registration plates alone was recorded 47 times.
How it compares
By model year
Every 720S V8 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 395 | 97.0% | 3.0% | Other defects |
| 2018 | 927 | 97.6% | 2.4% | Other defects |
| 2019 | 599 | 96.7% | 3.3% | Other defects |
| 2020 | 203 | 94.1% | 5.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2021 | 133 | 97.7% | 2.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2022 | 49 | 100.0% | 0.0% | Other defects |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Other defects | 1.5% | 34 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 32 |
| 3 | Suspension | 0.9% | 22 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 14 |
| 5 | Tyres | 0.4% | 9 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.2% | 5 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.2% | 5 |
| 8 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 4 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registration plates | 47 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 37 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 13 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 11 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 8 |
| 6 | Emissions not tested | 5 |
| 7 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 4 |
| 8 | Washers | 4 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.2% | 120 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.4% | 55 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.4% | 32 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.9% | 22 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.4% | 9 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.2% | 4 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 2,245 | 2.9% |
| 30-60k | 63 | 4.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 297 | 3.0% |
| 2022 | 442 | 4.3% |
| 2023 | 487 | 3.5% |
| 2024 | 528 | 2.3% |
| 2025 | 554 | 2.2% |
What to check before buying a McLaren 720S V8
- Other defects (1.5% of tests): Miscellaneous items not in the main categories. Typical repair: varies.
- Lighting & signalling (1.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (0.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the McLaren 720S V8?
97.0% of the 2,308 McLaren 720S V8 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 3.0% fail rate, across model years 2017–2023.
What does the McLaren 720S V8 most often fail its MOT on?
Other defects, recorded in 1.5% of tests, then lighting & signalling (1.4%).
Methodology & source. Based on 2,308 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.