The last of the legendary Bizzarrini V12 Lamborghinis. Surprisingly durable for a supercar - the world's highest-mileage example has covered 480,000+ km. The V12 engine itself is robust, but the E-Gear transmission and clutch/throw-out bearing are the major cost risks, both requiring engine removal to repair. Other common issues: hydraulic front lift leaks, door strut weakness, battery drain, and electrical ground corrosion on older cars. Manual gearbox cars are significantly more reliable but now command over 1 million euros. Verify fuel pump recall (2007-2008) and carbon ceramic brake rotor recall (2006-2010) completed.
Clutch and throw-out bearing replacement€10,000 - €18,000
Engine-out job required; throw-out bearing can leak and destroy clutch · more· less
The clutch replacement on a Murcielago requires removing the entire engine - the book time is approximately 40 hours. OEM clutch kit costs €4,500-5,000, labor runs €5,000-8,000 at independent shops and up to €15,000+ at dealers. The throw-out bearing (€3,000-4,000) is hydraulic and can leak fluid onto the clutch, destroying it. Always replace both together when the engine is out. E-Gear cars are harder on clutches than manual cars. Expect clutch replacement every 25,000-40,000 km depending on driving style.
E-Gear actuator failure€8,000 - €22,000
Hydraulic actuator fails from high pressure strain, requires engine removal · more· less
The E-Gear system uses a hydraulic actuator that operates under high pressure. Symptoms include jerky shifts, hydraulic leaks, and gears not engaging. Repair requires engine-out procedure. Lamborghini reduced the price of replacement actuators by approximately 66% in 2013, but total repair cost with labor still runs €8,000-15,000 at specialists. Some owners opt for manual conversion (starting at €45,000) due to parts availability concerns. 2008+ E-Gear systems have fewer issues than earlier versions.
Suspension struts and lift system€1,500 - €6,000
Active dampers and hydraulic front lift prone to leaks · more· less
Each strut costs approximately €1,500 to replace as they include active dampening elements. The hydraulic front lift system shares fluid with power steering and is prone to leaks over time. The lift line runs beneath the car along the AWD tunnel. Hydraulic hose failure can leave the front suspension unusable. Front lift can often be rebuilt with new gaskets at lower cost than full replacement. Lower control arm bushes tend to swell and need replacement - the entire arm must be changed as bushes are not sold separately (€3,000-5,000 per arm).
Electrical ground corrosion€500 - €1,500
Grounds corrode over time causing erratic electrical behavior · more· less
On older Murcielagos, electrical grounds can build up corrosion and lose contact. Symptoms include the car not starting, key fob not working, dash lights blinking erratically, and alarm going off unexpectedly. One documented case involved a split in the negative cable sheathing touching the chassis with corrosion. Fix involves going through the entire chassis, removing, cleaning, and replacing every ground - approximately 7-8 hours of labor. Preventive maintenance recommended on cars over 10 years old.
Door struts weakening€200 - €800
Scissor doors lose ability to stay open on their own · more· less
A common issue on aging Murcielagos - the gas struts that hold the scissor doors open weaken over time. The doors won't stay up on their own and require manual support. OEM struts have 1150N (117 kg) eject force. Aftermarket replacements available from €50-100 for a pair; OEM parts more expensive. If doors are rarely used, the hydraulic fluid can settle and cause the struts to seize - manually cycling the doors helps redistribute fluid. Installation is moderately difficult as a DIY job.
Battery drain€200 - €500
Battery dies within 7-10 days if car not driven or on tender · more· less
This is a well-known Murcielago characteristic. The car has significant parasitic draw and will drain the battery within 1-2 weeks if not driven or kept on a trickle charger. Use a quality battery tender (CTEK recommended). When replacing the battery, flip the battery switch first and be very careful not to short the positive terminal to the chassis - this can blow the dash electronics, which is extremely expensive to repair. The LP640 uses a different battery box than the 6.2L cars.
Fuel tank seepage€2,000 - €5,000
Aging tanks can develop seepage; fuel pump failures from old fuel · more· less
Older Murcielagos can develop tank seepage over time. Pressure testing during every major service is recommended. Additionally, if fuel sits for 12+ months, it can cause both fuel pumps to seize (the 2007-2008 fuel pump recall relates to weld failures, not this issue). Running the car regularly and keeping fresh fuel prevents this. Fuel system problems can also include clogged filters, faulty injectors, and fuel pressure control valve issues.
Coil pack and ignition failures€1,000 - €2,500
Coil packs fail causing misfires, rough idle, reduced power · more· less
The V12 has 12 individual coil packs. Signs of failure include misfires, rough idling, decreased fuel efficiency, and difficulty starting. A full set of coil packs runs approximately €1,000. Spark plugs (iridium, 12 required) should be replaced every 30,000 miles as per Lamborghini schedule. The DIY spark plug job takes approximately 2 hours with proper tools. Fouled or old plugs can cause power loss, sputtering, hesitation, and timing issues.
Durable V12, but transmission work is extremely expensive
The Murcielago's Bizzarrini-derived V12 is robust - high-mileage examples exist with 300,000+ km. However, when the clutch, throw-out bearing, or E-Gear actuator fails, the engine must be removed, making even relatively simple repairs extremely costly. Manual gearbox cars avoid E-Gear issues entirely but are now valued at over €1 million. Budget €7,000-10,000 annually for regular use; costs are lower if the car is rarely driven but problems can still occur.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete Lamborghini dealer or authorized specialist records essential. Verify all major services completed on schedule.
Cold start
Must start engine completely cold. Listen for any unusual sounds from the V12 during warm-up.
Body condition
Check for accident damage, paint mismatch, and panel gaps on the aluminum body. Inspect for corrosion around suspension mounts.
Test drive
Minimum 30 minutes including highway speeds to bring all systems up to operating temperature.
Specific for this vehicle
E-Gear operation (if equipped)
Drive for 20+ minutes until transmission is fully warm. Check for jerky shifts, hesitation, warning lights, or grinding sounds. Test all drive modes (Normal, Sport, Low Adherence).
Clutch condition
Ask for clutch wear percentage from diagnostic readout. High engagement point indicates worn clutch. Budget for replacement if over 60% worn.
Front lift system
Test the hydraulic front lift multiple times. Check for leaks under the car and slow operation which indicates low fluid or failing pump.
Door struts
Open both scissor doors and release. They should stay up on their own without support. Weak struts need replacement.
Electrical system
Test all electronics: windows, mirrors, climate control, lights. Check for warning lights on dash. Erratic behavior suggests ground corrosion.
Suspension struts
Look for oil leaking or misting on the damper bodies. Test the active suspension modes and listen for knocking sounds.
Fuel pump recall verification (2007-2008)
Contact Lamborghini with VIN to verify the fuel pump support weld recall has been completed.
Carbon ceramic brake recall (2006-2010)
If equipped with carbon ceramic brakes, verify the brake rotor attaching screw recall has been completed.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Fuel pump support welds (2007-2008)Verify completed
Contact Lamborghini or check NHTSA.gov with the VIN to verify all recalls have been completed. The brake rotor recall only applies to cars with optional carbon ceramic brakes. As of 2015, only 54% of affected vehicles had been repaired.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (3 years)Expired on all LP640s
Rust perforation warranty (12 years)Expired on most LP640s
Third-party extended warrantyAvailable from specialists
All LP640s are well outside their original factory warranty. Lamborghini's official extended warranty (up to 7 years from new) is no longer applicable. Third-party extended warranties are available from companies like Nova Warranty and Empire Auto Protect, but coverage terms and exclusions vary significantly. Given the age of these cars and potential for major repairs, carefully review what is actually covered before purchasing.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.