TVR Chimaera MOT Pass Rates and Running Costs by Year

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 10 model years from 7,135 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

88%

Total Tests

7,135

Highest Pass Rate

1998 (92%)

Years Covered

About the TVR Chimaera

The TVR Chimaera was MOT tested 7,135 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 10 model years (1993 to 2002), with an average pass rate of 88%. That's comfortably above the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 model has the highest pass rate at 92% from 1,685 tests. The 1994 model has the lowest at 83%. The 9 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer TVR Chimaeras pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 4 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1993) averages 61,207 miles, while the newest (2002) averages 46,796 miles.

TVR Chimaera reliability, common problems and years to avoid

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4546cc)

£1,958

Road Tax

£790

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£3,153

Per month£263/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2002 details

How reliable is the TVR Chimaera?

vs average of all models+6% (82% avg)

vs TVR brand average-2% (90% avg)

Best to worst year spread9 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

TVR Chimaera by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2002	88%	32	46,796 mi
2001	97%	98	54,232 mi
2000	86%	291	52,732 mi
1999	88%	1,468	58,014 mi
1998	92%	1,685	56,573 mi
1997	91%	1,178	58,676 mi
1996	89%	920	58,670 mi
1995	86%	684	64,826 mi
1994	83%	433	67,005 mi
1993	84%	346	61,207 mi

Questions about the TVR Chimaera

Is the TVR Chimaera reliable?

Across its 10 model years in our data (1993 to 2002), the TVR Chimaera averages an 88% MOT pass rate, from 7,135 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 6 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 1998 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 92%.

Which year TVR Chimaera has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 TVR Chimaera has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%, while the 1994 model has the lowest at 83%, a 9 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.