Tvr Chimaera Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Tvr Chimaera car check
Is the Tvr Chimaera reliable? We analysed 74,906 real MOT tests across 4,721 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Tvr Chimaera? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Tvr Chimaera is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and steering rack gaiter split. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Tvr Chimaera.
Tvr Chimaera Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Tvr Chimaera. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Tvr Chimaera MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Tvr Chimaera to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Tvr Chimaera Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Tvr Chimaera fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Tvr Chimaera Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Tvr Chimaera owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Tvr Chimaera MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Tvr Chimaera year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 123 | 83.7% | 15,166 | 21,710 | 26,297 |
| 2002 | 677 | 82.9% | 20,534 | 31,419 | 48,748 |
| 2001 | 1,393 | 85.7% | 27,934 | 38,789 | 47,739 |
| 2000 | 4,745 | 84.3% | 26,982 | 39,031 | 53,493 |
| 1999 | 12,453 | 83.4% | 31,920 | 44,479 | 57,778 |
| 1998 | 16,714 | 82.8% | 33,546 | 46,225 | 60,039 |
| 1997 | 11,826 | 81.8% | 34,955 | 48,002 | 62,625 |
| 1996 | 9,706 | 80.5% | 37,971 | 51,410 | 65,842 |
| 1995 | 7,803 | 80.1% | 42,111 | 56,913 | 73,171 |
| 1994 | 5,187 | 77.2% | 40,536 | 57,550 | 74,098 |
| 1993 | 3,894 | 77.0% | 43,803 | 57,486 | 72,698 |
How Long Does a Tvr Chimaera Last?
Based on 4,721 Tvr Chimaera vehicles on UK roads.
Tvr Chimaera Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Tvr Chimaera MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Tvr Chimaera
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
85.7% MOT pass rate from 1,393 tests
77.0% MOT pass rate from 3,894 tests
The best year to buy a used Tvr Chimaera is 2001, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 85.7% across 1,393 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 77.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Tvr Chimaera Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tvr Chimaera THIS CAR | 81.6% | 74,906 | 48,330 mi | 33 yrs |
| Tvr Tuscan | 83.1% | 24,752 | 29,914 mi | 26 yrs |
| Tvr Cerbera | 79.1% | 15,904 | 39,424 mi | 30 yrs |
| Tvr Griffith 500 | 84.2% | 13,259 | 40,199 mi | 34 yrs |
| Citroen Bx | 64.9% | 40,178 | 117,676 mi | 40 yrs |
Compared to the Tvr Tuscan (83.1% pass rate) and the Tvr Cerbera (79.1% pass rate), the Tvr Chimaera sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Tvr Chimaera you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Tvr ChimaeraShould you buy a used Tvr Chimaera?
The Tvr Chimaera has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.6% across 74,906 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Tvr Chimaera are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (1,285 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (1,258), and steering rack gaiter split (1,113). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Tvr Chimaera owner drives around 855 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Tvr Chimaera models stay on UK roads for around 33 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.