Sports car and convertible · 1996–2005 cars
TVR Chimaera reliability
The TVR Chimaera fails 13.1% of first MOT tests, 58% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 5,815 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a TVR Chimaera before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 13.1%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 58% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 5,815
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- –
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the TVR Chimaera ages
Each point is the share of TVR Chimaeras of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | TVR Chimaera | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 13.8% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 12% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 14% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 12.8% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst TVR Chimaera years
1998 cars come out best and 1999 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 561 | 15.9% | 50% fewer fails | 48,360 |
| 1999 Chimaera | 2,084 | 13.3% | 58% fewer fails | 55,681 |
| 1998 Chimaera | 2,138 | 12.3% | 60% fewer fails | 55,061 |
| 1997 | 581 | 14.8% | 52% fewer fails | 54,921 |
Common problems
What fails most on a TVR Chimaera
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics5.6%56% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.6%52% below avg
- Brakes2.6%72% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.5%60% below avg
- Suspension1.9%80% below avg
- Steering1.7%11% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.5%79% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.5%80% below avg
- Tyres0.5%85% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum 0.89% of tests
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 2
Position lamp not working 0.83% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Headlamp aim set too high 0.79% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 4
Steering rack gaiter no longer sealed 0.77% of tests
A damaged gaiter lets dirt into the steering rack, causing wear and possibly costly repairs later.
- 5
Carbon monoxide high after fast idle 0.74% of tests
High carbon monoxide can point to engine or catalytic converter faults, so ask for diagnosis before buying.
- 6
Windscreen washers not working 0.67% of tests
Without working washers the windscreen cannot be cleaned while driving, which is a safety risk in dirty weather.
- 7
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.64% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.58% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a TVR Chimaera's MOT certificate most often.
- Engine oil leak, not excessive7.58%
- Brake disc pitted or scored2.05%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit2.05%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking1.87%
- Suspension arm showing corrosion1.51%
- Transmission oil leak, not excessive1.36%
Before you buy
What to check on a used TVR Chimaera
- 1
Parking brake efficiency below minimum
The parking brake holds the car less well than required, so it may roll on a slope and needs repair.
- 2
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
- 3
Headlamp aim set too high
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 4
Steering rack gaiter no longer sealed
A damaged gaiter lets dirt into the steering rack, causing wear and possibly costly repairs later.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol100%
Most common colours
Blue, Red, Green, Silver, Yellow
Average engine size: 4.3 litres.
Compare
How the TVR Chimaera compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lamborghini Huracan | 2.6% | 78% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Ferrari 458 | 3.9% | 74% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Aston Martin DBS | 4.6% | 71% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| TVR Chimaera | 13.1% | 58% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Aston Martin DB7 | 14.1% | 56% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz GT | 5.8% | 55% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Smart Roadster | 28.9% | 26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all TVR models.
Questions
TVR Chimaera questions, answered
Is the TVR Chimaera reliable?
On MOT results, the TVR Chimaera is better than average: it fails 13.1% of first MOT tests, 58% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 16 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.
What fails most on a TVR Chimaera MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the TVR Chimaera are parking brake efficiency below minimum (0.89% of tests), position lamp not working (0.83% of tests), headlamp aim set too high (0.79% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 5.6% of its tests.
Which TVR Chimaera year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 1998 cars do best (60% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1999 cars do worst (58% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How do I check a TVR Chimaera before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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