TVR Griffith 500 (1998)
1998 TVR Griffith 500
CarHunch analysed 125 real MOT records for the 1998 TVR Griffith 500. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1998 TVR Griffith 500 passes its MOT slightly more often than the UK average, with an 83.5% first-time pass rate versus 80%, and a relatively low dangerous defect rate of 13.6% means catastrophic failures are uncommon for the model. That said, owners should expect work: the average car racks up 2.66 failures per test and 7.4 advisories, suggesting regular maintenance costs are a fact of life with this temperamental British sports car.
The median mileage of just 33,810 indicates these cars are cherished garage queens rather than daily drivers, yet they still present recurring problems across brakes, electrics, and trim. Before buying, get a full pre-purchase inspection from a specialist familiar with 1990s TVR engineering quirks, as the pattern of failures and advisories suggests that preventive maintenance and experienced hands make the difference between enjoyable ownership and expensive surprises.
What to check before buying a 1998 TVR Griffith 500
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 Griffith 500
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1998 TVR Griffith 500 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.
Half of all 1998 TVR Griffith 500 vehicles fall between 23,596 and 47,324 miles.
1998 TVR Griffith 500 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 72 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 89% of the peak.
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
Found a specific TVR Griffith 500?
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