TVR 290 S MOT pass rate & common failures
759 MOT tests on the TVR 290 S (1989–2005) give it an 86.7% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 22.4% of the time, so this is 9.1pp better than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, brakes and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 10.4% of all tests — 6.5 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and non catalyst emissions — position lamp alone was recorded 30 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 290 S fails 11.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 11.4% at 90-120k, a spread of only 0.2 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 9.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
By model year
Every 290 S model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 174 | 82.2% | 17.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1991 | 334 | 89.8% | 10.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1992 | 174 | 84.5% | 15.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1993 | 35 | 88.6% | 11.4% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 79 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.0% | 30 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 27 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.9% | 22 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 22 |
| 6 | Suspension | 1.7% | 13 |
| 7 | Steering | 1.3% | 10 |
| 8 | Other defects | 0.4% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 30 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 29 |
| 3 | Non catalyst emissions | 20 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 17 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 16 |
| 6 | Rear fog lamp | 15 |
| 7 | Headlamp | 14 |
| 8 | Washers | 14 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.3% | 71 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.6% | 50 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 6.2% | 47 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.2% | 47 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.1% | 39 |
| 6 | Other defects | 4.9% | 37 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 95 | 11.6% |
| 30-60k | 257 | 15.2% |
| 60-90k | 255 | 12.2% |
| 90-120k | 123 | 11.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 166 | 15.1% |
| 2022 | 158 | 13.3% |
| 2023 | 142 | 11.3% |
| 2024 | 136 | 12.5% |
| 2025 | 157 | 14.0% |
What to check before buying a TVR 290 S
- Lighting & signalling (10.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (4.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Emissions & environmental (3.6% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the TVR 290 S?
86.7% of the 759 TVR 290 S MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 13.3% fail rate, across model years 1989–2005.
What does the TVR 290 S most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 10.4% of tests, then brakes (4.0%).
How much does mileage affect 290 S MOT results?
Fail rates run at 11.6% for cars in the 0-30k band and 11.4% for 90-120k, a 0.2-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 759 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.