2001 TVR Chimaera 4.6L Petrol · G211 TVR

The 2001 TVR Chimaera passed its most recent MOT on 1 April 2026 at 64,480 miles, maintaining its roadworthy status. The tester recorded an oil leak that is not excessive under regulation 8.4.1 (a) (i) and slight play in the nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint under regulation 5.3.4 (a) (i). These two advisories mark a shift from the preceding five years of clean passes, where no defects were recorded between March 2023 and March 2025. The overall maintenance trend has moved from stable and clean to one showing early-stage mechanical wear appearing in the most recent test. The mileage profile reflects very light use over 25 years, averaging roughly 2,579 miles per year. The odometer progressed steadily from 48,561 miles in February 2013 to 64,480 miles in April 2026, with no sudden jumps or periods of rapid accumulation. The largest single-year increase occurred between February 2021 (59,391 miles) and February 2022 (60,549 miles), covering 1,158 miles. The remaining years show annual increments of 700 to 1,000 miles, consistent with a vehicle that sees occasional seasonal use rather than daily driving. This low-mileage pattern can mask issues related to long periods of standing, such as seized components or degraded seals. A buyer should pay close attention to the nearside front lower suspension arm ball joint flagged in April 2026, as suspension ball joints on a 25-year-old TVR Chimaera are wear items that can deteriorate with age regardless of mileage. The oil leak requires immediate investigation to determine whether it originates from the engine rear seal, cam covers, or another source, and the tester noted it as not excessive at this stage. The previous history of a lazy nearside door release in 2021 and a headlamp aim failure in 2016 suggests that electrical and lighting systems on this car may need periodic adjustment. The buyer should also inspect for structural corrosion around the chassis rails and sills, given the vehicle's age and the fact that low-mileage storage can accelerate rust in untreated areas.