Caterham Seven (S3) Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Caterham Seven (S3) car check
Is the Caterham Seven (S3) reliable? We analysed 32,485 real MOT tests across 2,453 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Caterham Seven (S3)? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Caterham Seven (S3) is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include stop lamp not working, steering rack gaiter split and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Caterham Seven (S3).
Caterham Seven (S3) Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Caterham Seven (S3). Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Caterham Seven (S3) MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Caterham Seven (S3) to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Caterham Seven (S3) Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Caterham Seven (S3) fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Caterham Seven (S3) Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Caterham Seven (S3) owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Caterham Seven (S3) MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Caterham Seven (S3) year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 297 | 89.9% | 5,477 | 9,583 | 14,689 |
| 2011 | 329 | 87.5% | 6,318 | 9,947 | 15,922 |
| 2010 | 806 | 88.2% | 5,204 | 8,955 | 16,546 |
| 2009 | 530 | 85.1% | 5,878 | 9,885 | 15,657 |
| 2008 | 970 | 87.5% | 7,137 | 11,205 | 18,418 |
| 2007 | 1,016 | 86.8% | 7,090 | 12,843 | 21,200 |
| 2006 | 976 | 86.5% | 6,113 | 13,584 | 24,604 |
| 2005 | 1,416 | 87.6% | 8,341 | 14,663 | 23,493 |
| 2004 | 1,966 | 86.5% | 8,444 | 15,022 | 22,487 |
| 2003 | 1,942 | 86.9% | 8,982 | 15,083 | 26,502 |
| 2002 | 2,074 | 84.2% | 10,526 | 18,373 | 28,788 |
| 2001 | 1,407 | 83.6% | 8,869 | 16,528 | 26,180 |
| 2000 | 1,837 | 87.0% | 9,928 | 16,995 | 27,614 |
| 1999 | 2,196 | 86.2% | 11,053 | 17,828 | 27,111 |
| 1998 | 2,511 | 86.3% | 10,547 | 16,348 | 23,908 |
| 1997 | 2,404 | 86.2% | 13,472 | 20,400 | 29,311 |
| 1996 | 1,647 | 86.6% | 14,274 | 24,518 | 33,509 |
| 1995 | 1,211 | 84.7% | 17,912 | 28,286 | 37,703 |
| 1994 | 1,166 | 86.0% | 17,360 | 27,444 | 42,040 |
| 1993 | 936 | 86.2% | 16,029 | 23,663 | 32,172 |
How Long Does a Caterham Seven (S3) Last?
Based on 2,453 Caterham Seven (S3) vehicles on UK roads.
Caterham Seven (S3) Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Caterham Seven (S3) MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Caterham Seven (S3)
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
89.9% MOT pass rate from 297 tests
82.0% MOT pass rate from 100 tests
The best year to buy a used Caterham Seven (S3) is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 89.9% across 297 tests. The 1982 model year has the lowest pass rate at 82.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Caterham Seven (S3) Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caterham Seven (S3) THIS CAR | 86.1% | 32,485 | 18,286 mi | 55 yrs |
| Caterham Super 7 | 85.4% | 10,821 | 15,370 mi | 55 yrs |
| Caterham Unknown | 88.6% | 6,813 | 5,804 mi | 17 yrs |
| Caterham Seven | 87.5% | 6,710 | 16,569 mi | 55 yrs |
| Mitsubishi L300 | 68.3% | 33,109 | 113,723 mi | 43 yrs |
Compared to the Caterham Super 7 (85.4% pass rate) and the Caterham Unknown (88.6% pass rate), the Caterham Seven (S3) sits in the middle of the pack on MOT reliability.
Found a Caterham Seven (S3) you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Caterham Seven (S3)Should you buy a used Caterham Seven (S3)?
The Caterham Seven (S3) has an overall MOT pass rate of 86.1% across 32,485 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Caterham Seven (S3) are stop lamp not working (476 recorded failures), steering rack gaiter split (309), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (206). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Caterham Seven (S3) owner drives around 613 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Caterham Seven (S3) models stay on UK roads for around 55 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.