McLaren Qualified launched for Approved Used McLarens

McLaren has launched ‘McLaren Qualified’, an approved scheme for used McLaren 12c and 12C Spider with up to two years unlimited warranty.

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The McLaren 12C (which was the MP4-12C until McLaren decided that was just too much of a mouthful) has now been in production for more than two years and was recently joined by the 12C Spider, the even more appealing 12C with a does of fresh air available at the touch of a button.

But it’s been a long time since McLaren actually built a road car – the McLaren F1 – and that car wasn’t exactly mainstream, so there was no real dealer network or support for used McLarens. Well, there was, but it doesn’t translate in a to real production models as it involved sending your car back to Woking for service or McLaren finding a buyer for your F1 (for a commission).

So McLaren has built up a dealer network and now it’s decided it’s time to launch a ‘McLaren Approved’ programme for used McLarens – McLaren Qualified – which involves McLaren taking used 12Cs and giving them a bumper-to-bumper qualification check, fitting any upgrades the car needs and bolting on a minimum two year unlimited mileage warranty and McLaren Roadside Assistance.

McLaren are also throwing in preferential rates for any additional upgrades or customisation an owner may want through McLaren Special Operations (MSO) and invitations to McLaren Track Days and the McLaren Technology Centre.

Greg Levine, McLaren’s Marketing man, said:

The management and tight control of pre-owned vehicles is key to maintaining the exclusivity, customer experience and overall residual values of each McLaren. This is something that is important to us and, more crucially, our customers.

Through the McLaren Qualified programme, we are ensuring that the pre-owned McLaren ownership experience is a unique journey, that provides owners with the knowledge and confidence that every pre-owned 12C or 12C Spider is sold to McLaren standards.

Some would call it trying to control the used McLaren market, but you can’t blame them for wanting to do that. But don’t expect an F1 or new McLaren P1 to turn up on the McLaren Qualified Programme – that’s a whole different ballgame – this is just for the 12C and Spider, at least until the P13 arrives in 2014.