CarCostCheck

TVR GRIFFITH 500 (1994)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 99 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

88%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

4988cc Petrol

Solid Option

88% pass rate, £2757/year to run. 6 points above average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific TVR GRIFFITH 500

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Petrol4988cc32 years old99 tests54k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4988cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 4988cc

£760
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,757
Per month£230/mo
Per week£53/wk

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

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this TVR GRIFFITH 500

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

88% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%.

At 32 years old, 88% of TVR GRIFFITH 500s from 1994 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 99 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 54,018 miles.

Got a TVR GRIFFITH 500 you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1994 cars27th of 212(top 13%)
Rank among TVR models44th of 64(top 69%)
vs national average+6%(82% avg)
vs 1994 cars average+12%(76% avg)
vs TVR average-2%(90% avg)

Mileage Analysis

54,018

Average miles

vs

236,800

Expected for age

The average 1994 TVR GRIFFITH 500 has 54,018 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 236,800 miles for a 32-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific TVR GRIFFITH 500?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1996 model with a 96% MOT pass rate, while the 1994 model has the lowest at 88%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

TVR GRIFFITH 500 by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200298%4213,753 mi
200189%3536,186 mi
2000100%4241,258 mi
199990%18248,644 mi
199890%21344,349 mi
199792%21650,729 mi
199696%22164,150 mi
199590%22555,690 mi
199488%9954,018 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Tvr Griffith 500

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 1994 TVR GRIFFITH 500

The 1994 TVR GRIFFITH 500 is a performance with a 4988cc petrol engine. 99 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 13% of all 1994 cars for reliability.

With an average of 54,018 miles at 32 years old, TVR GRIFFITH 500 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.

1994 TVR GRIFFITH 500 Fuel Costs

The 4988cc 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 1994 TVR GRIFFITH 500?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,757 230/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 88% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

TVR GRIFFITH 500 Reliability Trend

The TVR GRIFFITH 500 has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1994 TVR GRIFFITH 500

At 32 years old, the TVR GRIFFITH 500 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 99 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1994 TVR GRIFFITH 500's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 32 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 1994 TVR GRIFFITH 500 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
TVR GRIFFITH 500(1994)88%£1592£760Grp 35-50£2757
MERCEDES SL(1995)85%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£510
TVR CHIMAERA(1994)83%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£510
MERCEDES 500(1993)85%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£510
PORSCHE 928(1995)80%£1592£250Grp 35-50£2247-£510

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.

Related Tvr Models

Explore other Tvr cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Tvr Griffith 500.

Check a specific TVR GRIFFITH 500

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a TVR GRIFFITH 500? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB