2004 TVR T350 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 411 MOT tests, the 2004 TVR T350 recorded a 92.7% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 27.7% of the time, so this is 20.4pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (3.9%) and emissions & environmental (2.9%) 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 registration plates — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 27 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2004 T350 fails 7.0% of the time in the 0-30k band and 5.1% at 60-90k, a spread of only 1.9 points.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 7.1% in 2021 to 5.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 3.9% | 16 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 2.9% | 12 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.9% | 12 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.4% | 10 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.5% | 6 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.2% | 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 | 27 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 14 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 12 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 5 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 4 |
| 6 | Washers | 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 | Suspension | 7.1% | 29 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.4% | 18 |
| 3 | Brakes | 4.1% | 17 |
| 4 | Other defects | 1.9% | 8 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.5% | 6 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.2% | 5 |
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 | 129 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 234 | 7.3% |
| 60-90k | 39 | 5.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 85 | 7.1% |
| 2022 | 84 | 9.5% |
| 2023 | 85 | 10.6% |
| 2024 | 82 | 3.7% |
| 2025 | 75 | 5.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 T350
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 3.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (3.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (2.9% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (2.9% 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
How many 2004 TVR T350s pass their MOT?
92.7% of the 411 2004 TVR T350 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 TVR T350?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.9% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (2.9%).
Does the 2004 T350 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 5.1% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 411 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.