1996 TVR Griffith 500 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1996 TVR Griffith 500 passed 94.3% of its 365 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (24.6% fail rate), the 1996 Griffith 500 comes out 18.9pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.9%) and suspension (2.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, catalyst emissions and registration plate lamp(s) — headlamp alone was recorded 7 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.9% in the 0-30k band and 14.9% in the 90-120k band, a 6.0-point spread.
Emissions & environmental is the most common advisory, noted on 11.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 8.1% in 2021 to 2.9% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.9% | 18 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.7% | 10 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 2.2% | 8 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.6% | 6 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.4% | 5 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.5% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 7 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 7 |
| 3 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 6 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 5 |
| 5 | Washers | 4 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 4 |
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 | 11.5% | 42 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.6% | 24 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.6% | 24 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.0% | 22 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.2% | 19 |
| 6 | Other defects | 3.8% | 14 |
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 | 45 | 8.9% |
| 30-60k | 147 | 4.8% |
| 60-90k | 118 | 2.5% |
| 90-120k | 47 | 14.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 74 | 8.1% |
| 2022 | 72 | 4.2% |
| 2023 | 81 | 9.9% |
| 2024 | 68 | 2.9% |
| 2025 | 70 | 2.9% |
What to check before buying a 1996 Griffith 500
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 4.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (4.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (2.7% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (2.2% 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
How many 1996 TVR Griffith 500s pass their MOT?
94.3% of the 365 1996 TVR Griffith 500 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1996 TVR Griffith 500?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.9% of tests, followed by suspension (2.7%).
Does the 1996 Griffith 500 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.9% in the 0-30k band to 14.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 365 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.