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Caterham Seven reliability by build year

Coverage 1974-present3 named generationsConvertiblePETROL

We've only got 672 MOT tests for Caterham Sevens built before 2000 (over 25 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Caterham Seven built before 2000: fails its MOT less often than average

Caterham Sevens built before 2000 fail their MOT less often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Caterham Seven by number plate

Key figure

11% of MOT tests on Caterham Sevens built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 22% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Caterham Sevens built before 2000 involves fluid leaks.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Caterham Seven's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Axles & Wheels

Worth checking

Inspect the axles & wheels carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Brakes

Worth checking

Inspect the brakes carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Over the last three years, fail rates rose, then fell back. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Seven's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Seven SV chassis

SV chassis (2006-present)

Excellent
PETROL

11.3% fail rate, built around 2008 (17 years old)

Likely between 6.0% and 20.0%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.2%)

From 80 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Seven S3

S3 (1974-1998)

Excellent
PETROL

11.2% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Likely between 9.0% and 13.8%

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 672 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Caterham Seven.

See every build year for the Caterham Seven

Side-by-side

Caterham Seven generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
SV chassis (2006-present)
Excellent
Excellent11.3%likely between 6.0% and 20.0%built around 2008 (17 years old)from 80 MOT tests at this age
S3 (1974-1998)
Excellent
Excellent11.2%likely between 9.0% and 13.8%built before 2000 (over 25 years old)from 672 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Seven, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Caterham Seven fail rate by age

This chart combines every Caterham Seven ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
515.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
5012.0%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
543.7%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
8011.3%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
6510.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
7412.2%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
7412.2%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
8612.8%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
8512.9%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
8314.5%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
6410.9%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
67211.2%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 23 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Caterham Sevens

These issues come from 25+ year old Caterham Sevens, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    7.0%
    Advisory: 50Fail: 1 (2% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Wheel bearing has slight play

    5.4%
    Advisory: 42Fail: 1 (2% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    4.2%
    Advisory: 43Fail: 5 (10% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    3.3%
    Advisory: 34Fail: 1 (3% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake binding slightly

    3.1%
    Advisory: 14Fail: 11 (44% of the times it was found)

Based on 672 MOT tests on 25+ year old Caterham Sevens, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Caterham Sevens notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelNot much data
  1. Fuel & oil + Other18%
  2. Brakes + Other17%
  3. Brakes + Fuel & oil16%
  4. Lighting + Other16%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 108 MOT tests on Caterham Seven cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Caterham Seven.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Caterham Seven name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other convertibles to compare

Other convertibles to compare

  1. 1

    Mercedes-Benz SL

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.5%

    No clear edge over the Caterham Seven on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    5,842 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Mazda MX-5

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    27.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    97.6%

    No clear edge over the Caterham Seven on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    16,460 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    MG B

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.5%

    No clear edge over the Caterham Seven on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    2,865 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Alfa Romeo Spider

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.8%

    No clear edge over the Caterham Seven on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,562 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Caterham Seven across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 672 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Caterham Seven ever sold: 1,438 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 672 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.