Tvr
Chimaera
7,147 MOT tests analysed. sits above the UK fleet average — here's where Chimaeras pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 9.2 points above the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — a confident result.
Pass
86.7%
Pass-after-fix
2.1%
Fail
10.1%
Avg miles
58,795
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Petrol cars registered before January 2006 are typically pre-Euro 4 — subject to daily charges in London ULEZ, Birmingham CAZ, and Glasgow LEZ. Bristol CAZ does not charge petrol cars. Daily charges if driven in the zone: London £12.50 · Birmingham £8.00 .
The picture
Chimaera: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 2,716 MOT tests, the Chimaera returns 85.2% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is windscreen damage. A weak handbrake and a split CV-joint boot round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 57,001, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated
82 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 02
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
76 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 03
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
74 occurrences · 1.0% of tests
- 04
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
67 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
- 05
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits
62 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
- 06
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
62 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
- 07
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
58 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 08
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
57 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 09
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
53 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 10
Emissions levels exceed default limits
47 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
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Buying or keeping a Chimaera?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Chimaera and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.