Caterham Seven MOT pass rate and common problems
91.1% of 2,643 Caterham Seven MOT tests pass.
The Seven's pass rate of 91.1% is in line with the average across all Caterham models, at 90.6%.
The Caterham Seven passes its MOT 91.1% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Caterham Seven?
This is the average across every Caterham Seven in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Caterham’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Unusually, pass rate is higher for older examples: 86.0% at 10–15 years compared with 91.6% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (8) | 8 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (17) | 17 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 86.0% | 279 | 17,560 miles |
| 15+ years | 91.6% | 2,339 | 27,389 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Caterham Seven
The most common reason the Caterham Seven fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 62.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 62.2% | Not working |
| Brakes | 34.5% | Excessively binding |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 24.9% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Suspension | 14.2% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Visibility | 13.2% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 8.3% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Steering | 7.7% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 4.9% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Body, chassis, structure | 3.7% | Component leaking |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.2% | Likely to become detached in the event of a collision |
Buying a used Caterham Seven: what to check
These checks follow the Caterham Seven’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 62.2% of failed Caterham Seven MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 34.5% of failed Caterham Seven MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 24.9% of failed Caterham Seven MOTs. 3.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 1.1% at 10–15 years.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
4. Suspension
Recorded in 14.2% of failed Caterham Seven MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 13.2% of failed Caterham Seven MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Caterham service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Caterham Seven?
- 91.1% of Caterham Seven MOT tests pass, based on 2,643 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Caterham Seven?
- The most common reason the Caterham Seven fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 62.2% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Caterham Seven?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Caterham Seven are lights and electrics; brakes; exhaust, emissions and leaks.
- What should I check when buying a used Caterham Seven?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; exhaust, emissions and leaks; suspension; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Caterham Seven's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Caterham service history guide for how to check and keep one.