1998 TVR Chimaera — MOT failures & pass rate
3,089 MOT tests on the 1998 TVR Chimaera are in this dataset, and 90.3% of them passed. That is 15.8 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 25.5%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.1%) and brakes (3.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and washers — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 78 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 15.6% once past 90-120k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: emissions & environmental was flagged on 12.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 10.8% in 2021 to 8.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.1% | 159 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.1% | 95 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.6% | 80 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.1% | 64 |
| 5 | Steering | 1.9% | 60 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 58 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 78 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 71 |
| 3 | Washers | 55 |
| 4 | Steering rack | 52 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 50 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 43 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emissions & environmental | 12.2% | 376 |
| 2 | Suspension | 7.8% | 240 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.6% | 203 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.0% | 185 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 141 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.3% | 102 |
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 | 378 | 8.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,488 | 8.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,023 | 10.1% |
| 90-120k | 179 | 15.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 639 | 10.8% |
| 2022 | 621 | 10.0% |
| 2023 | 628 | 9.9% |
| 2024 | 605 | 9.6% |
| 2025 | 596 | 8.2% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Chimaera
On a 1998 Chimaera, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (5.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.1% 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.
- Visibility (2.6% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1998 TVR Chimaeras pass their MOT?
90.3% of the 3,089 1998 TVR Chimaera MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 TVR Chimaera?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.1% of tests, followed by brakes (3.1%).
Does the 1998 Chimaera get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.7% in the 0-30k band to 15.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,089 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.