Tvr 290 S
From 331 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, a lamp missing and inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning. The top issue, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, caused 12 failures in 2024. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 12 |
| steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 6 |
| a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 6 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 6 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 5 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 4 |
| an obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 4 |
| a shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage | 4 |
| fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap | 4 |
| number plate does not conform to the specified requirements | 4 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. Only 7.3% of 290 S failures are serious (safety or roadside), below the 44.4% average. When this car fails its MOT, it's more likely to be lights, wipers, or emissions than something dangerous. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £60.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 84.7% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen |
Typical mileage
Half of all 290 Ss tested had between 47,937 and 83,385 miles on the clock.
At 69,988 median miles, the 290 S has 0.025 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Tvr models
| Tvr Chimaera | 87.1% |
| Tvr Tuscan | 90.5% |
| Tvr Griffith 500 | 89.4% |
| Tvr Cerbera | 87.7% |
Common questions
What is the Tvr 290 S MOT pass rate?
The Tvr 290 S has a 82.2% MOT pass rate based on 331 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Tvr 290 S?
The most common MOT failure on the Tvr 290 S is the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, which caused 12 failures. Other common issues include steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
What is the typical mileage of a Tvr 290 S at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Tvr 290 S is 69,988 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 47,937 and 83,385 miles.
Buying a used 290 S?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 82.2% pass rate and an average repair bill of £60 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.