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TVR Chimaera reliability by build year

Coverage 1992-20031 named generationConvertiblePETROL
At a glance

TVR Chimaera built before 2000: fails its MOT less often than average

TVR Chimaeras built before 2000 fail their MOT less often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a TVR Chimaera by number plate

Key figure

13% of MOT tests on TVR Chimaeras built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 22% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on TVR Chimaeras built before 2000 involves fluid leaks.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The TVR Chimaera's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Chimaera's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Chimaera Classic

Classic (1992-2003)

Excellent
PETROL

12.5% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 2,536 MOT tests at this ageView details →

By age

TVR Chimaera fail rate by age

This chart combines every TVR Chimaera ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
958.4%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
2,53612.5%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old TVR Chimaeras

These issues come from 25+ year old TVR Chimaeras, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    15.3%
    Advisory: 486Fail: 5 (1% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    3.3%
    Advisory: 130Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    2.9%
    Advisory: 129Fail: 6 (4% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    2.9%
    Advisory: 123Fail: 5 (4% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    2.6%
    Advisory: 87Fail: 12 (12% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,536 MOT tests on 25+ year old TVR Chimaeras, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old TVR Chimaeras notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Fuel & oil + Suspension18%
  2. Brakes + Fuel & oil17%
  3. Fuel & oil + Other14%
  4. Fuel & oil + Steering13%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 535 MOT tests on TVR Chimaera cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the TVR Chimaera.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the TVR Chimaera name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles to compare

  1. 1

    Mercedes-Benz SL

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.5%

    No clear edge over the TVR Chimaera on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    5,842 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Mazda MX-5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.6%

    No clear edge over the TVR Chimaera on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    16,460 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    MG B

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.5%

    No clear edge over the TVR Chimaera on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    2,865 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Alfa Romeo Spider

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.8%

    No clear edge over the TVR Chimaera on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,562 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the TVR Chimaera across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 2,536 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every TVR Chimaera ever sold: 2,631 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 2,536 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.