TVR T350 MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 28 model years and 1,251 tests, the TVR T350 passes its MOT 91.8% of the time. Against all cars of a similar age (27.2% fail rate), the T350 comes out 19.0pp better. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.7%) and emissions & environmental (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 registration plates — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 57 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.8% in the 0-30k band and 12.7% in the 60-90k band, a 5.9-point spread.
How it compares
By model year
Every T350 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 466 | 91.6% | 8.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2004 | 411 | 92.7% | 7.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2005 | 238 | 95.8% | 4.2% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2006 | 39 | 92.3% | 7.7% | Lighting & signalling |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.7% | 59 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 3.1% | 39 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.1% | 26 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.6% | 20 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.4% | 17 |
| 6 | Other defects | 1.0% | 13 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.8% | 10 |
| 8 | Steering | 0.4% | 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 | 57 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 37 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 17 |
| 4 | Washers | 15 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 14 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 13 |
| 7 | Wipers | 12 |
| 8 | Rbt (sp) | 10 |
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 | 5.1% | 64 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.9% | 49 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 38 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.8% | 35 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.2% | 27 |
| 6 | Other defects | 1.2% | 15 |
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 | 367 | 6.8% |
| 30-60k | 740 | 7.6% |
| 60-90k | 126 | 12.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 253 | 7.5% |
| 2022 | 268 | 9.7% |
| 2023 | 254 | 9.8% |
| 2024 | 239 | 5.9% |
| 2025 | 237 | 7.6% |
What to check before buying a TVR T350
- Lighting & signalling (4.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (3.1% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (2.1% 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.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the TVR T350?
91.8% of the 1,251 TVR T350 MOT tests in this dataset passed, an 8.2% fail rate, across model years 1983–2010.
What does the TVR T350 most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.7% of tests, then emissions & environmental (3.1%).
How much does mileage affect T350 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 6.8% for cars in the 0-30k band and 12.7% for 60-90k, a 5.9-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,251 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.