TVR Chimaera (1999)

766 real MOT outcomes analysed • 81% first-time pass rate

1999 TVR Chimaera

CarHunch analysed 766 real MOT records for the 1999 TVR Chimaera. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

Average reliability In line with UK average
81%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
43,019
typical mileage
30,861–56,050 middle half
15.4%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
2.65
avg MOT failures per car
over 16 tests on record

What to check before buying a 1999 TVR Chimaera

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a TVR Chimaera

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

Inspection ClickMechanic Have a qualified mechanic check this car before you commit to buying

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (99%) 757 80.8% 2.68
Other (1%) 9 98.4% 0.11

Mileage Distribution

Most 1999 TVR Chimaera vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

30,861
low mileage
43,019
typical
56,050
high mileage

Half of all 1999 TVR Chimaera vehicles fall between 30,861 and 56,050 miles.

1999 TVR Chimaera — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 417 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 84% of the peak.

485 417 2014 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.

MOT History Averages

16
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
2.65
Avg failures per vehicle
10.1
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 1999 TVR Chimaera

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 44.4%
    Oil leak, but not excessive
  • 43.9%
    Oil leak
  • 40%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 36.9%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 27.5%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 23.7%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
  • 23.4%
    Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
  • 18%
    Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1999. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific TVR Chimaera?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — TVR Chimaera:

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 2000