Should I check the MOT history before buying a 1992 TVR Griffith?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 1992 TVR Griffith?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 1992 TVR Griffith?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 1992 TVR Griffith reliable?

Based on MOT data from 363 vehicles, the 1992 TVR Griffith has a first-time MOT pass rate of 84.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 1992 TVR Griffith?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 1992 TVR Griffith are: Oil leak, but not excessive (34.5% of vehicles), Oil leak (33.2% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (28% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 1992 TVR Griffith?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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TVR Griffith (1992)

363 real MOT outcomes analysed • 84.5% first-time pass rate

1992 TVR Griffith

CarHunch analysed 363 real MOT records for the 1992 TVR Griffith. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 363 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 1992 TVR Griffith passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (84.5%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

84.5%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

15.4%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.39

Over 14.5 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

52k

Middle half: 39k–68k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 7.7 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 363 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 363 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 34.5%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Oil leak · Horn not working · …

Tyre wear 28%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Exhaust & emissions 25.6%

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive · Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive · Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive · …

Brake wear 18.3%

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements · Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair.

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Suspension & steering 18.1%

Steering system has slight free play detected at steering wheel

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Wipers & washers 14.7%

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1992.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 363 TVR Griffith cars.

Before you buy a 1992 TVR Griffith

Based on MOT data from 363 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 15.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	361	84.4%	2.41

Colour Breakdown

Based on 981 TVR Griffith vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 40.2%

394

Green 21.9%

215

Red 18.9%

185

Black 4.9%

Yellow 3.9%

Silver 3.8%

Grey 2.5%

Purple 1.5%

White 1%

Turquoise 0.7%

Orange 0.7%

Mileage Distribution

Most 1992 TVR Griffith vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

52,170

typical

39,443

low mileage

67,990

high mileage

Half of all 1992 TVR Griffith vehicles fall between 39,443 and 67,990 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 39,443 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 39,443–67,990 miles — normal for age. This is where most 1992 TVR Griffiths sit.

⚠ Over 91,786 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

1992 TVR Griffith — Still on the Road

Most 1992 TVR Griffiths are still being driven.

173 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 77% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

14.5

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.39

Avg failures per vehicle

7.7

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — TVR Griffith: All Griffith years → Which year to buy? →

1996

Or browse all models: TVR →

Compare with another model

See how the 1992 TVR Griffith stacks up against a rival.

Average reliability — agree?