Caterham Seven (S3): MOT pass rate and reliability data

The Caterham Seven (S3) passes its MOT first time more often than the average UK car, by 12.8 percentage points. These figures come from the DVSA's full year of anonymised MOT results, covering 1,105 individual Caterham Seven (S3) tests. Nothing here is an estimate or a survey.

The numbers

What this means if you are buying one

A 89.5% first-time pass rate means roughly 11 in every 100 Caterham Seven (S3)s presented for MOT fail on the first attempt. That is better than average, so a well-kept example is a reasonably safe used buy. The average Caterham Seven (S3) tested had covered 26,754 miles and was built around 2001.

What this means at salvage auction

Pass rate is a proxy for what a car costs to keep on the road. The Caterham Seven (S3) sits 12.8 points above the national average, ranked 791 of 2,005 models. On one bought as repairable salvage, the mechanical side is less likely to spring surprises, so your repair estimate should hold up reasonably well.

Before you bid: run the lot through the analyzer, check the car's own record, check the mileage, decode the VIN, and if it carries a marker use the write-off value calculator. Or compare it against another model.

Looking at a specific Caterham Seven (S3) rather than the model in general? The free check covers its MOT and mileage history, and the full HPI report confirms the insurance write-off category, outstanding finance and whether it is recorded stolen, from licensed data for 5 credits. Already own one that has been damaged? Work out whether fixing it beats selling it with the repair or scrap calculator, and see recorded closing bids for damaged Caterham Seven (S3)s at UK salvage auction.

Most common MOT failures on a Caterham Seven (S3)

1. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 1.7% of tests (4.86x the national rate for this defect)
2. Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 1.4% of tests (1.95x the national rate for this defect)
3. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 1.2% of tests
4. Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer, 1% of tests (1.95x the national rate for this defect)
5. Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer's specified limits, 1% of tests (3.66x the national rate for this defect)
6. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 1% of tests
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 1% of tests
8. 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, 0.8% of tests (1.85x the national rate for this defect)
9. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 0.8% of tests
10. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 0.7% of tests

From 1,105 DVSA-tracked Caterham Seven (S3) tests, 2024. DVSA testers marked 4.65% of these flagged Caterham Seven (S3) defects as "dangerous", meaning the tester judged the car unsafe to drive away, against 5.11% nationally.

Most common MOT advisories on a Caterham Seven (S3)

An advisory doesn't fail the car - the tester flags it as worth watching, but it still passes. A different list from the failures above: what testers are noting on a Caterham Seven (S3) before it actually fails on it.

1. A wheel bearing with excessive play, 4.3% of tests (6.69x the national rate for this advisory)
2. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 6.8% of tests, also fails
3. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 6.7% of tests
4. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 4.9% of tests
5. A tyre seriously damaged, 2.6% of tests
6. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 2.5% of tests
7. Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake, 1.9% of tests, also fails
8. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 1.2% of tests
9. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 0.8% of tests
10. Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is excessive, 0.7% of tests (3.8x the national rate for this advisory)

From 1,105 DVSA-tracked Caterham Seven (S3) tests, 2024.

Other Caterham models

• Caterham Unclassified - 87.9%

Models with a similar pass rate

• Volkswagen Golf R-Line Tdi S-A - 89.5%
• Tesla Model 3 - 89.5%
• Audi A3 S Line 30 Tfsi Mhev S-A - 89.5%
• Porsche Taycan 4x2 - 89.5%
• Land Rover Rr Sport Hse Dyn Blck D Mhev A - 89.5%
• Volvo Xc90 R-Design B5 Awd Auto - 89.5%

If this car is a salvage or write-off

• What does Cat N mean? Category N explained
• What does Cat S mean? Category S explained
• Cat S vs Cat N: the real differences
• Do you need an HPI check on a car you know is a write-off?

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All 2,005 models ranked by MOT pass rate