Tvr S1 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Tvr S1 car check
Is the Tvr S1 reliable? We analysed 1,615 real MOT tests across 156 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Tvr S1? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Tvr S1 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive, windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid and headlamp not working on dipped beam. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Tvr S1.
Tvr S1 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Tvr S1. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Tvr S1 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Tvr S1 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Tvr S1 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Tvr S1 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Tvr S1 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Tvr S1 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Tvr S1 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Tvr S1 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 68 | 75.0% | 53,236 | 61,719 | 74,960 |
| 1991 | 97 | 74.2% | 43,674 | 48,386 | 54,154 |
| 1990 | 160 | 73.1% | 47,783 | 59,319 | 79,836 |
| 1989 | 121 | 78.5% | 61,061 | 71,923 | 78,819 |
| 1988 | 841 | 78.5% | 50,433 | 66,607 | 78,013 |
| 1987 | 186 | 77.4% | 28,328 | 52,566 | 62,826 |
How Long Does a Tvr S1 Last?
Based on 156 Tvr S1 vehicles on UK roads.
Tvr S1 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Tvr S1 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 S1
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
78.5% MOT pass rate from 841 tests
73.1% MOT pass rate from 160 tests
The best year to buy a used Tvr S1 is 1988, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 78.5% across 841 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Tvr S1 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tvr S1 THIS CAR | 77.3% | 1,615 | 61,970 mi | 39 yrs |
| Tvr Chimaera | 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 |
| Audi Q3 S Line 35 TDI QUATTRO S-a | 92.5% | 624 | 32,048 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Tvr Chimaera (81.6% pass rate) and the Tvr Tuscan (83.1% pass rate), the Tvr S1 trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Tvr S1 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 S1Should you buy a used Tvr S1?
The Tvr S1 has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.3% across 1,615 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 S1 are exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (42 recorded failures), windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (34), and headlamp not working on dipped beam (32). 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 S1 owner drives around 538 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 S1 models stay on UK roads for around 39 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.