1995 TVR Griffith 500 — MOT failures & pass rate
355 MOT tests on the 1995 TVR Griffith 500 are in this dataset, and 90.7% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (24.2% fail rate), the 1995 Griffith 500 comes out 14.9pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 6.5% of all tests — 3.1 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 10 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1995 Griffith 500 fails 7.0% of the time in the 0-30k band and 8.9% at 60-90k, a spread of only 2.0 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: emissions & environmental was flagged on 14.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.5% | 23 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.4% | 12 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.1% | 11 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.7% | 6 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.1% | 4 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.6% | 2 |
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 | 10 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 8 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 8 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 6 |
| 5 | Washers | 6 |
| 6 | Wipers | 5 |
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 | 14.6% | 52 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.7% | 38 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.5% | 23 |
| 4 | Steering | 5.9% | 21 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.9% | 21 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.3% | 19 |
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 | 43 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 168 | 10.1% |
| 60-90k | 123 | 8.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 72 | 6.9% |
| 2022 | 73 | 6.9% |
| 2023 | 72 | 11.1% |
| 2024 | 68 | 14.7% |
| 2025 | 70 | 7.1% |
What to check before buying a 1995 Griffith 500
On a 1995 Griffith 500, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Visibility (3.1% 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 1995 TVR Griffith 500s pass their MOT?
90.7% of the 355 1995 TVR Griffith 500 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1995 TVR Griffith 500?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.5% of tests, followed by suspension (3.4%).
Does the 1995 Griffith 500 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 8.9% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 355 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.