CarVerify

Tvr S2 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Tvr S2 car check

Is the Tvr S2 reliable? We analysed 2,988 real MOT tests across 233 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 2,988 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
76.2%
Typical Mileage
67,606mi
Annual Mileage
432mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
38yrs

The Tvr S2 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include fog lamp not working, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Tvr S2.

Tvr S2 Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Tvr S2. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Tvr S2 MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Tvr S2 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

76.4%
1992
75.5%
1991
76.7%
1990
76.2%
1989
76.3%
1988

Tvr S2 Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Tvr S2 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

fog lamp not working 70
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 66
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 65
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases 49
position lamp(s) adversely affected by the operation of another lamp 47
Stop lamp not working 42
Headlamp aim too low 39
Vehicle structure has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings 37
position lamp(s) not working 34
Headlamp aim too high 34

Tvr S2 Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Tvr S2 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
135 mi/yr
Typical
432 mi/yr
Average
1,071 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,174 mi/yr

Tvr S2 MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Tvr S2 year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1992 127 76.4% 28,647 59,377 78,410
1991 380 75.5% 58,460 78,296 91,680
1990 1,008 76.7% 47,446 75,013 92,479
1989 1,244 76.2% 51,299 64,857 76,844
1988 139 76.3% 26,902 38,529 54,654

How Long Does a Tvr S2 Last?

Based on 233 Tvr S2 vehicles on UK roads.

Average
29.3 years
Median
32.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
38 years

Tvr S2 Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Tvr S2 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
67,606 mi
75th Percentile
83,524 mi
95th Percentile
119,254 mi
Max Recorded
782,343 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Tvr S2

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1990

76.7% MOT pass rate from 1,008 tests

Year to avoid
1991

75.5% MOT pass rate from 380 tests

The best year to buy a used Tvr S2 is 1990, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.7% across 1,008 tests. The 1991 model year has the lowest pass rate at 75.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Tvr S2 Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Tvr S2 THIS CAR 76.2% 2,988 67,606 mi 38 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
Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled 89.8% 3,072 4,404 mi — yrs

Compared to the Tvr Chimaera (81.6% pass rate) and the Tvr Tuscan (83.1% pass rate), the Tvr S2 trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Tvr S2?

The Tvr S2 has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.2% across 2,988 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 S2 are fog lamp not working (70 recorded failures), windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (66), and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (65). 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 S2 owner drives around 432 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 S2 models stay on UK roads for around 38 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.

Tvr S2 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Tvr S2 reliable?
Based on 2,988 MOT tests, the Tvr S2 has a 76.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Tvr S2?
The most common MOT failures are fog lamp not working, windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively, and exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Tvr S2 do per year?
The typical Tvr S2 does around 432 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Tvr S2 last?
Most Tvr S2 models stay on UK roads for around 38 years based on our analysis of 233 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Tvr S2?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Tvr S2?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Tvr S2 is 1990 with a 76.7% pass rate across 1,008 tests.