TVR S3 (1991)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 46 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,588

£216/month

MOT Pass Rate

96%

Excellent

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 30-42

2935cc Petrol

Great Choice

96% pass rate, £2,588/year to run. 14 points above average.

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

£4.99

Check a specific TVR S3

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

Petrol2935cc35 years old46 tests69k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2935cc)

~30 mpg

£1,958

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,588

Per month£216/mo

Per week£50/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

96% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the TVR brand average of 90%.

96% of MOT tests on TVR S3s from 1991 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 33 years old. That's based on 46 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 69,217 miles.

Got a TVR S3 you're looking at?

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

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1991 models10th of 172(top 6%)

Rank among TVR models9th of 63(top 15%)

vs average of all models+14%(82% avg)

vs 1991 models average+17%(79% avg)

vs TVR average+6%(90% avg)

Mileage Analysis

69,217

Average miles

244,200

Expected for age

The average 1991 TVR S3 had 69,217 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 244,200 miles for a 33-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 S3?

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

TVR S3 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1992	76%	33	59,330 mi
1991	96%	46	69,217 mi
1990	80%	59	76,818 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mercedes 300

1992 · 2996cc Petrol

£2,738/year

83%

-13%

Porsche 911

1991 · 3164cc Petrol

£2,588/year

91%

-5%

Porsche 944

1990 · 2969cc Petrol

£2,738/year

85%

-11%

Porsche 968

1993 · 2990cc Petrol

£2,738/year

85%

-11%

Check a Specific TVR S3

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.

About the 1991 TVR S3

The 1991 TVR S3 is a large car. Our records list a 2935cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 46 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 6% of all 1991 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 69,217 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, TVR S3 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.

1991 TVR S3 Fuel Costs

The 2935cc 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 £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1991 TVR S3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,588 (£216/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 96% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Buying a Used 1991 TVR S3

At 35 years old, the TVR S3 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 46 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 35 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 1991 TVR S3 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
TVR S3(1991)	96%	£1,958	£375	Grp 30-42	£2,588
Mercedes 300(1992)	83%	£1,958	£375	Grp 30-42	£2,738+£150
Porsche 911(1991)	91%	£1,958	£375	Grp 35-50	£2,588same
Porsche 944(1990)	85%	£1,958	£375	Grp 30-42	£2,738+£150
Porsche 968(1993)	85%	£1,958	£375	Grp 30-42	£2,738+£150

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1991 TVR S3

Is the 1991 TVR S3 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 96% of MOT tests on 1991 TVR S3s ended in a pass, from 46 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1991 TVR S3 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,588 a year (£216 a month): £1,958 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1991 TVR S3?

96% of 46 MOT tests on the 1991 TVR S3 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 10th of 172 models first registered in 1991 (top 6%).

What is the average mileage for a 1991 TVR S3?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1991 TVR S3 is 69,217 miles, which is significantly below the expected 244,200 miles for a 33-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.