Caterham Unknown Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Caterham Unknown car check
Is the Caterham Unknown reliable? We analysed 6,813 real MOT tests across 1,493 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Caterham Unknown? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Caterham Unknown is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Caterham Unknown.
Caterham Unknown Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Caterham Unknown. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Caterham Unknown MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Caterham Unknown to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Caterham Unknown Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Caterham Unknown models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Caterham Unknown Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Caterham Unknown owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Caterham Unknown MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Caterham Unknown year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 122 | 94.3% | 2,041 | 3,896 | 6,251 |
| 2021 | 314 | 87.3% | 2,290 | 3,967 | 6,776 |
| 2020 | 292 | 88.0% | 2,514 | 4,340 | 7,541 |
| 2019 | 681 | 90.5% | 2,638 | 4,830 | 7,600 |
| 2018 | 888 | 90.2% | 2,144 | 4,674 | 8,148 |
| 2017 | 1,073 | 90.0% | 2,821 | 5,286 | 8,560 |
| 2016 | 1,039 | 88.8% | 3,175 | 6,250 | 10,121 |
| 2015 | 387 | 89.7% | 5,351 | 7,767 | 13,381 |
| 2014 | 213 | 85.4% | 3,550 | 5,361 | 8,240 |
| 2013 | 705 | 89.5% | 4,382 | 7,168 | 11,694 |
| 2012 | 221 | 82.8% | 4,165 | 6,234 | 8,823 |
| 2011 | 152 | 80.3% | 4,568 | 7,582 | 10,324 |
| 2010 | 105 | 89.5% | 4,278 | 7,538 | 14,554 |
| 2009 | 69 | 88.4% | 3,734 | 6,377 | 8,400 |
| 1998 | 53 | 73.6% | 7,487 | 20,492 | 38,634 |
How Long Does a Caterham Unknown Last?
Based on 1,493 Caterham Unknown vehicles on UK roads.
Caterham Unknown Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Caterham Unknown 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 Unknown
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.3% MOT pass rate from 122 tests
73.6% MOT pass rate from 53 tests
The best year to buy a used Caterham Unknown is 2022, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.3% across 122 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Caterham Unknown Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caterham Unknown THIS CAR | 88.6% | 6,813 | 5,804 mi | 17 yrs |
| Caterham Seven (S3) | 86.1% | 32,485 | 18,286 mi | 55 yrs |
| Caterham Super 7 | 85.4% | 10,821 | 15,370 mi | 55 yrs |
| Caterham Seven | 87.5% | 6,710 | 16,569 mi | 55 yrs |
| MG Hs Excite PHEV Auto | 89.5% | 2,264 | 31,206 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Caterham Seven (S3) (86.1% pass rate) and the Caterham Super 7 (85.4% pass rate), the Caterham Unknown outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Caterham Unknown 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 UnknownShould you buy a used Caterham Unknown?
The Caterham Unknown has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.6% across 6,813 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Caterham Unknown with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Caterham Unknown owner drives around 658 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 Unknown models stay on UK roads for around 17 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.