Does the TVR Chimaera fail the MOT on noise, emissions and leaks more than it should?
The TVR Chimaera records 5.56 noise, emissions and leaks failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 9.63 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−4.07, 95% interval −4.57 to −3.57). It ranks 644 of 678 models on noise, emissions and leaks (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on noise, emissions and leaks · check a TVR Chimaera by registration
What exactly fails on noise, emissions and leaks?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the TVR Chimaera is “Emissions levels exceed default limits”, recorded 355 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Emissions levels exceed default limits | 355 | 2.39 |
| Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits | 200 | 1.35 |
| Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer | 117 | 0.79 |
| Emissions test unable to be completed | 82 | 0.55 |
| Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users | 39 | 0.26 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 14,859 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a TVR Chimaera gets a noise, emissions and leaks advisory, how often does it fail next time?
4.3% of TVR Chimaera MOTs with a noise, emissions and leaks advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.6 months and 392 miles later (1,190 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,190 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
TVR Chimaera 1998 · TVR Chimaera 1999 · TVR Chimaera 2000 · TVR Chimaera by postcode area · TVR Chimaera body, chassis and structure failures · TVR Chimaera brakes failures · TVR Chimaera vehicle identification failures · TVR Chimaera lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · TVR Chimaera seat belts and airbags failures · TVR Chimaera steering failures · TVR Chimaera suspension failures · TVR Chimaera tyres failures · TVR Chimaera visibility failures