1997 TVR Griffith 500 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 398 MOT tests, the 1997 TVR Griffith 500 recorded a 91.5% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 25.0% of the time, so this is 16.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.8%) and emissions & environmental (2.8%) 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 headlamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 23 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1997 Griffith 500 fails 11.3% of the time in the 0-30k band and 7.8% at 60-90k, a spread of only 3.5 points.
The trend is worsening — 8.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 10.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.8% | 19 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 2.8% | 11 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.3% | 9 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.0% | 8 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.0% | 8 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.8% | 7 |
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 | 23 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 7 |
| 4 | Washers | 7 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 4 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 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 | 7.5% | 30 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.5% | 18 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.3% | 17 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.0% | 16 |
| 5 | Other defects | 3.8% | 15 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 3.5% | 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 | 80 | 11.3% |
| 30-60k | 224 | 8.0% |
| 60-90k | 90 | 7.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88 | 8.0% |
| 2022 | 78 | 9.0% |
| 2023 | 78 | 5.1% |
| 2024 | 76 | 10.5% |
| 2025 | 78 | 10.3% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Griffith 500
On a 1997 Griffith 500, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (4.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (2.8% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Visibility (2.3% 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 1997 TVR Griffith 500s pass their MOT?
91.5% of the 398 1997 TVR Griffith 500 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 TVR Griffith 500?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.8% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (2.8%).
Does the 1997 Griffith 500 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.3% in the 0-30k band to 7.8% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 398 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.