How much does a 1992 TVR 290 S cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,907 (£242/month), including £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1992 TVR 290 S?

The 1992 TVR 290 S has a 76% MOT pass rate based on 83 tests in 2026. This ranks 100 out of 178 cars from 1992.

Which year TVR 290 S is most reliable?

The 1991 TVR 290 S has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%. The least reliable year is 1992 at 76%.

TVR 290 S (1992)

Q: Is the 1992 TVR 290 S reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 76% of TVR 290 Ss from 1992 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 83 tests. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1992 TVR 290 S?

The average mileage for a 1992 TVR 290 S is 54,345 miles, which is significantly below the expected 251,600 miles for a 34-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 83 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,907

£242/month

MOT Pass Rate

76%

Average

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

3947cc Petrol

Check Carefully

76% pass rate, £2907/year to run. 6 points below average.

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Petrol3947cc34 years old83 tests54k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 3947cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 3947cc

£760

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,907

Per month£242/mo

Per week£56/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

76% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the TVR brand average of 90%.

At 34 years old, 76% of TVR 290 Ss from 1992 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 83 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 54,345 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1992 cars100th of 178(top 56%)

Rank among TVR models60th of 64(top 94%)

vs national average-6%(82% avg)

vs 1992 cars average-1%(77% avg)

vs TVR average-14%(90% avg)

Mileage Analysis

54,345

Average miles

251,600

Expected for age

The average 1992 TVR 290 S has 54,345 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 251,600 miles for a 34-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1991 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 1992 model has the lowest at 76%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

TVR 290 S by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1992	76%	83	54,345 mi
1991	92%	145	68,175 mi
1990	82%	90	85,188 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

PORSCHE 911

1990 · 3600cc Petrol

£2,097/year

91%

+15%

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER

1994 · 3950cc Petrol

£2,247/year

80%

+4%

JAGUAR XJS

1993 · 3980cc Petrol

£2,247/year

84%

+8%

JAGUAR XJ

1994 · 3980cc Petrol

£2,247/year

86%

+10%

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About the 1992 TVR 290 S

The 1992 TVR 290 S is a performance with a 3947cc petrol engine. 83 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1992, the average MOT pass rate is 77%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 54,345 miles at 34 years old, TVR 290 S owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1992 TVR 290 S Fuel Costs

The 3947cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1992 TVR 290 S?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,907 (£242/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 76% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

TVR 290 S Reliability Trend

The TVR 290 S has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1992 TVR 290 S

At 34 years old, the TVR 290 S is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. Note: with only 83 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1992 TVR 290 S's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 34 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1992 TVR 290 S stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
TVR 290 S(1992)	76%	£1592	£760	Grp 35-50	£2907
PORSCHE 911(1990)	91%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2097-£810
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER(1994)	80%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£660
JAGUAR XJS(1993)	84%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£660
JAGUAR XJ(1994)	86%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£660

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.