TVR Chimaera MOT failures and reliability
In 2023 the TVR Chimaera took 2,474 MOT tests in Britain and passed 85% of them first time, above the national average of 71% for all cars. The figures below come from the DVSA's record of every test, so they show what testers actually found on these cars rather than what owners report.
- MOT tests in 2023
- 2,474
- First-time pass rate
- 85%
- All cars
- 71%
What the Chimaera fails on
Share of tests with at least one failure in each area, against the figure for all cars.
- Lights and electrics6.8% (all cars 11.3%)
- Visibility3.4% (all cars 4.8%)
- Brakes3.2% (all cars 6.8%)
- Exhaust and emissions3.1% (all cars 3.1%)
- Suspension2.5% (all cars 9.0%)
- Steering1.8% (all cars 1.8%)
- Body and structure1.2% (all cars 3.5%)
- Number plates and VIN0.7% (all cars 0.4%)
Most common failure items
Share of tests on which each item was recorded.
- Washers: not working 1.4%
- Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements 1.3%
- Position lamp: not working 1.2%
- Headlamp aim: too high 1.1%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid 1.0%
- Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits 0.9%
- Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt 0.9%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect 0.7%
Most common advisories
- Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive 10.9%
- Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 3.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened 3.4%
- Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 2.8%
- Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened 2.2%
- Transmission oil leaks: leak, but not excessive 1.7%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil 1.2%
- Suspension arms, ball joint: ball joint has slight play 1.0%
Pass rate by year of registration
Older cars fail more often whatever the model, so compare a car with others of the same age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 312 | 84% |
| 1997 | 382 | 87% |
| 1998 | 585 | 87% |
| 1999 | 442 | 85% |
Check a particular Chimaera
Model figures tell you what to look out for. To see one car's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration.
Source: Department for Transport, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023, cars and light vans, normal tests only. Pass rates are first-time passes; a pass after repair at the test station counts as a fail. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.