2003 TVR T350 — MOT failures & pass rate
466 MOT tests on the 2003 TVR T350 are in this dataset, and 91.6% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), the 2003 T350 comes out 19.2pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.1%) and emissions & environmental (3.9%) 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 washers — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 25 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2003 T350 fails 6.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 2.9% at 60-90k, a spread of only 3.3 points.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.1% | 19 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 3.9% | 18 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.7% | 8 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.5% | 7 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.6% | 3 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.4% | 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 | 25 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 3 | Washers | 6 |
| 4 | Wipers | 5 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 5 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 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 | Brakes | 4.3% | 20 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.6% | 12 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 10 |
| 4 | Tyres | 2.1% | 10 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.7% | 8 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.5% | 7 |
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 | 98 | 6.1% |
| 30-60k | 329 | 9.1% |
| 60-90k | 35 | 2.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 97 | 8.3% |
| 2022 | 95 | 9.5% |
| 2023 | 97 | 9.3% |
| 2024 | 86 | 5.8% |
| 2025 | 91 | 8.8% |
What to check before buying a 2003 T350
On a 2003 T350, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (4.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (3.9% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Brakes (1.7% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2003 TVR T350s pass their MOT?
91.6% of the 466 2003 TVR T350 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 TVR T350?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.1% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (3.9%).
Does the 2003 T350 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.1% in the 0-30k band to 2.9% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 466 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.