2017 McLaren 720S V8 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 395 MOT tests, the 2017 McLaren 720S V8 recorded a 97.0% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 12.6% of the time, so this is 9.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in other defects, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — other defects (1.5%) and lighting & signalling (1.3%) 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 srs malfunction indicator lamp — registration plates alone was recorded 7 times.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Other defects | 1.5% | 6 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 5 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.0% | 4 |
| 4 | Tyres | 0.5% | 2 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 2 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.3% | 1 |
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 | 7 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 4 |
| 3 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 2 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 2 |
| 5 | Suspension unit | 2 |
| 6 | Windscreen | 1 |
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 | 5.8% | 23 |
| 2 | Other defects | 1.5% | 6 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.5% | 6 |
| 4 | Steering | 0.3% | 1 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 1 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.3% | 1 |
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 | 381 | 2.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 80 | 3.8% |
| 2022 | 86 | 3.5% |
| 2023 | 82 | 3.7% |
| 2024 | 73 | 1.4% |
| 2025 | 74 | 2.7% |
What to check before buying a 2017 720S V8
On a 2017 720S V8, other defects is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 1.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Other defects (1.5% of tests): Miscellaneous items not in the main categories. Typical repair: varies.
- Lighting & signalling (1.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (1.0% 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
How many 2017 McLaren 720S V8s pass their MOT?
97.0% of the 395 2017 McLaren 720S V8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 3.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 McLaren 720S V8?
Other defects, recorded in 1.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.3%).
Methodology & source. Based on 395 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.