1999 TVR Griffith 500 — MOT failures & pass rate
342 MOT tests on the 1999 TVR Griffith 500 are in this dataset, and 91.8% of them passed. That is 17.9 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 26.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and other defects.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (3.2%) and suspension (2.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, registration plates and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 11 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.9% in the 0-30k band and 14.3% in the 60-90k band, a 7.3-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 9.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 3.2% | 11 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.3% | 8 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.1% | 7 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 7 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.5% | 5 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.5% | 5 |
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 | 11 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 9 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 5 |
| 4 | Stop lamp | 3 |
| 5 | Wipers | 3 |
| 6 | Chassis condition | 3 |
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 | 9.9% | 34 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 9.7% | 33 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.3% | 18 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.7% | 16 |
| 5 | Brakes | 3.5% | 12 |
| 6 | Steering | 3.2% | 11 |
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 | 72 | 6.9% |
| 30-60k | 200 | 7.0% |
| 60-90k | 63 | 14.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 69 | 5.8% |
| 2022 | 71 | 9.9% |
| 2023 | 71 | 8.5% |
| 2024 | 70 | 10.0% |
| 2025 | 61 | 6.6% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Griffith 500
On a 1999 Griffith 500, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (3.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (2.3% 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.
- Other defects (2.1% of tests): Miscellaneous items not in the main categories. Typical repair: varies.
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 1999 TVR Griffith 500s pass their MOT?
91.8% of the 342 1999 TVR Griffith 500 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 TVR Griffith 500?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.2% of tests, followed by suspension (2.3%).
Does the 1999 Griffith 500 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.9% in the 0-30k band to 14.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 342 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.