McLarens are luxury-quality British supercars, so they’re inherently expensive. But the value of any given McLaren can vary from $200,000 to more than $20 million! The difference often comes down to rarity, condition, and performance.
The most expensive McLaren supercar ever sold is the 1995 McLaren F1 Chassis No. 029, an antique McLaren that sold for $20.5 million in 2021. The initial sales estimate for this supercar was $15 million, but the car’s exceptional condition, low mileage, and rarity helped it fetch a higher price.
Still, the 1995 McLaren F1 is far from the only multi-million-dollar McLaren. Let’s discover which high-priced McLaren supercars outsold the rest.
Here Are the Top 10 Most Expensive McLaren Supercars Ever Sold:
- 1995 McLaren F1 Chassis No. 029 – $20.5 million
- 1994 McLaren F1 – $19.8 million
- 1995 McLaren F1 Chassis No. 044 – $15.6 million
- 1998 McLaren F1 – $13.8 million
- 2010 McLaren-Mercedes MP4-25 Formula One – $6.5 million
- 1997 McLaren F1 GTR Longtail – $5.3 million
- 1974 McLaren M16C Indianapolis – $3.5 million
- 2020 McLaren Speedtail 036 – $3.3 million
- 2020 McLaren Speedtail 087 – $2.7 million
- 2015 McLaren P1 – $2.1 million
10. 2015 McLaren P1 – $2.1 Million
The 2015 McLaren P1 is a modern street-ready McLaren supercar that is one of less than 400 produced, and it’s a rare plug-in hybrid model that helped pave the way for the McLaren Artura.
The most expensive of these innovative supercars sold for $2.1 million in 2016. Hopefully, it’s zooming down limit-free highways, enjoying its top speeds of about 210mph (about 338kph).
This 2015 McLaren P1 (number 371) is the last US-market P1 built of the 375 total production-run, making it pricier than several of the most expensive Bentleys!
Why It’s Expensive
The McLaren P1 that sold for $2.1 million in 2016 managed to fetch such a high price due to its comparative rarity, high performance, and excellent condition.
In broader terms, this car’s limited supply increases its value, as demand for these supercars rarely fluctuates. And despite being a short-run hybrid car, it offers stellar performance and speed, just like any other McLaren.
But this car’s low mileage probably influenced its price more than any other factor. When this car sold at auction, it had fewer than 300 miles on its odometer, which is rare for speed-loving supercars like McLarens.
9. 2020 McLaren Speedtail 087 – $2.7 Million
If you long to test drive (or own) the fastest McClaren, you’ll want to make a feeling for the 2020 McLaren Speedtail. This car can reach 250mph (402kph), though it’s sleek and stylish enough to look at home in your garage.
Still, you’ll need to be prepared to spend big bucks if you want to own one of these rare McLarens. One McLaren Speedtail (the 087/106, sold for $2.7 million when it went to auction in 2022.
Many other Speedtails are within the million-dollar price range, but opportunities to buy are limited, so those hoping to own one of these cars must be prepared to act fast and spend high.
Why It’s Expensive
McLaren Group only released 106 2020 Speedtails, and they’re some of the rarest and most prized modern McLarens. Drivers love them because they’re wickedly fast and capable of topping the speeds of other supercars.
Collectors love them because they’re rare. When both groups do their best to outbid the other, you’re bound to end up with extraordinarily high prices.
But, of course, the 087 isn’t the most expensive McLaren Speedtail ever sold!
8. 2020 McLaren Speedtail 036 – $3.3 million
The sleek McLaren Speedtail looks like it was ripped from the pages of a science fiction novel. It’s a midnight blue streak of machinery capable of reaching incredible speeds (like other Speedtails), and only the most adventurous speedsters would feel at home behind the centered wheel.
Though the light blue 087 is identical in terms of body style and components, this Speedtail is more valuable thanks to its low mileage. It sold for $3.3 million in 2022.
It’s also worth noting that the 036 was auctioned before the 087, making it the first 2020 McLaren Speedster available to the general public. McLaren Group handpicked from a list of notable buyers when releasing these limited-run supercars, so the 036 was the first experience with the McLaren Speedtail that most auction goers had.
Why It’s Expensive
When the McLaren Speedtail 036 went to auction in 2022, it had only 30 miles on its odometer—finding a factory-fresh McLaren with essentially zero miles on the odometer is virtually unheard of.
Consequently, this Speedtail was able to fetch several thousands of dollars more than its slightly higher-mileage counterpart.
7. 1974 McLaren M16C Indianapolis – $3.5 million
The 1974 McLaren M16C Indianapolis is the most vintage, high-valued McLaren included in this ranking, and it’s not challenging to understand why.
The bright orange, rocket-like racing car won the 1974 Indianapolis 500 event and is one of the few antique McLaren racecars ever presented at a public auction. Despite its age, it runs like a dream, in no small part due to a detailed restoration service in 1991.
In 2013, the 1974 McLaren M16C Indianapolis sold at auction for $3.5 million, making it one of the costliest McLaren motorsports cars ever sold.
Why It’s Expensive
Retired Formula One cars and racecars are somewhat common sights at car auctions, but few of these sports vehicles are McLarens.
The 1974 McLaren M16C Indianapolis benefits from the McLaren brand name, but its value primarily comes down to its vintage status, multiple competition wins, and recent restoration. These qualities make it a one-of-a-kind vehicle that can’t be replaced, naturally making it a treasure for car collectors.
But, as we’re about to reveal, the 1974 McLaren M16C Indianapolis isn’t the most expensive McLaren sportscar ever sold.
6. 1997 McLaren F1 GTR Longtail – $5.3 Million
Gooding & Co. deals in high-quality automobiles and racecars, and one of the priciest they ever auctioned was the 1997 McLaren F1 GTR Longtail. This race-ready motorsports car sold for $5.3 million when it went to auction in 2014.
Though the average car buyer often looks for vehicles with low mileage and zero crash history, those looking to collect sportscars have different priorities. The McLaren F1 GTR Longtail checks almost all of a collector’s boxes.
It’s got multiple international racing competition wins under its belt, it’s been restored by specialists, and it’s one rare McLaren motorsports vehicles to reach auction. It’s the costliest F1 Longtail by a mile!
Why It’s Expensive
Several of the most valuable McLarens are street-friendly cars with racing-quality engines. But the 1997 McLaren F1 GTR Longtail that sold for millions in 2014 is an actual motorsports car with a long history and multiple wins.
Even better, McLaren specialists fully restored it, making it like-new for potential buyers. To sum up, this sportscar is expensive because of its racing history, rarity, and condition.
5. 2010 McLaren-Mercedes MP4-25 Formula One – $6.5 Million
Though some of the most beloved McLarens hold the “F1” title, few are literal Formula One cars ready for the track. The 2010 McLaren-Mercedes MP4-25 Formula One is one of the exceptions.
This red-and-black is race-ready with a classic Formula One body shape (minimal, low-set, single-seat). It also has a few notable competition wins under its belt, including the 2010 Turkish Grand Prix.
Few of these proven high-quality Formula One cars ever reach public auction, so one can imagine that the bidding for this vehicle was fierce. Of course, you don’t have to imagine how intense this 2021 auction was, as the final sales price of $6.5 million says it all.
Why It’s Expensive
This dragster-esque Formula One car is expensive for several reasons, but the top three most significant factors impacting this car’s value are:
- Brand name
- Rarity
- Competition history
This is a McLaren racecar, and McLarens are known for being high-value, high-performance vehicles. So this speedster’s brand name offers an ample boost in value.
This is also the first Formula One McLaren ever released for bidding at a public auction, driving up demand. The McLaren Formula One also boasts competition wins, making it a prize for racing aficionados and Formula One car collectors.
4. 1998 McLaren F1 – $13.8 Million
The 1998 McLaren F1 is a historic car. After all, 1998 marked the end of the brief McLaren F1 production period. So the 1998 F1 is technically the latest version of this car you could own.
One of the very last (second to last, to be precise) ones released for street-legal driving sold at auction for $13.8 million, setting a new benchmark for McLaren F1s produced during the latter half of the run.
This 1998 McLaren is more valuable than several of the world’s most expensive Aston Martins, another British luxury automaker.
Why It’s Expensive
1998 was the end of the McLaren F1 era, making the few F1s released during that year particularly valuable to collectors. The rush to buy up the few 1998 F1s was intense, and demand for these supercars hasn’t lessened with time.
But, of course, the supply of 1998 McLaren F1s is very limited, with only about 100 of these cars reaching the streets between 1994 and 1998. Consequently, demand is higher than the supply, resulting in sky-high prices.
3. 1995 McLaren F1 Chassis No. 044 – $15.6 Million
By 1995, McLaren Group had improved upon their original F1 design, releasing several more McLaren F1 supercars that tempted affluent buyers to add a McLaren to their garage.
Though the silver body is notably dated, the sharp angles and curves of the 1995 McLaren F1 (and its powerful engine) are just as attractive today as they ever were. The 044/106 F1 sold for an astounding $15.6 million when it went to auction in 2017.
Why It’s Expensive
There are quite a few reasons this McLaren is roughly as valuable as a mid-sized mansion in Los Angeles. Firstly, it’s a McLaren F1, one of the most coveted and treasured McLaren models ever.
Secondly, this is one of the special LM versions, making it even rarer than other F1s. You hardly see these cars hit public auctions, so opportunities to snap them up are few and far between.
This F1 is also historically significant to the McLaren brand, as it was the first F1 imported to the U.S. So, whether you’re a car collector or a museum curator, this vehicle is particularly valuable and a worthwhile investment.
2. 1994 McLaren F1 – $19.8 Million
When the McLaren F1 GTR stole the win at the 1995 24 Hours of Le Mans event, McLaren Group decided to celebrate by creating unique F1s.
These supercars are differentiated from their equally-beloved F1 counterparts by the designation “LM,” which stands for “Le Mans.” The LM models are equipped with GTR racing engines, commemorating the GTR’s international victory.
When one of these special McLarens went to auction in 2019, it fetched a jaw-dropping $19.8 million! This F1 LM’s high value undoubtedly stems from its rarity, power, and historical significance.
Why It’s Expensive
All McLaren F1s are expensive, but the LM models are particularly valuable.
After all, they’re slightly rarer than other McLaren F1s, and they feature race-winning GTR engines. Because these cars are part of the McLaren post-win celebration, they’re also historically significant to the McLaren brand.
Curators working in automotive museums or sportscar exhibits would love to bring this car to work. But collectors and daring drivers are also interested in owning the F1 LM. This competition drives the final value of these cars ever skyward.
1. 1995 McLaren F1 Chassis No. 029 – $20.5 Million
The most expensive McLaren is the 1995 McLaren F1 Chassis No. 029. Gooding & Co. auctioned this car in 2021, expecting it to sell for about $15 million.
But this McLaren exceeded expectations, reaching a final bid of $20.5 million before changing hands.
Though this sportscar is similar to the F1 Chassis No. 044, it has fewer miles on the odometer. While the No. 044 had about 10,000 miles under its belt when it sold at auction, the No. 029’s mileage was sitting at less than 300 miles.
Why It’s Expensive
McLaren F1s are some of the most prized collectible cars in the world. McLaren Group only released about 100 McLaren F1s during the 1990s and early 2000s, so opportunities to claim one for yourself are exceptionally limited.
This car’s rarity is partially responsible for its incredible final sales price. But its condition and low mileage also help boost its overall value, making it uniquely expensive. Some have even referred to this McLaren as a time capsule due to its untouched, unaltered splendor.
Still, this high-priced McLaren isn’t quite as costly as the most expensive Jaguar vehicles!
What’s the Most Expensive McLaren Ever Sold?
The most expensive McLaren ever sold is the 1995 McLaren F1 Chassis No. 029. This antique McLaren sold for $20.5 million in 2021. That’s more than $5 million over the initial sales estimate!
This particular McLaren is unique in several ways, but some of the most significant include an incredibly low mileage (less than 300 miles), exceptional condition, and comparative rarity.
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