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E1 SWS

1997 Caterham Seven (S3)

Yellow Petrol 1588cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires24 Jun 2026
Tests22 (18 pass, 4 fail)
Pass rate81.8%

Mileage

16,460 mi
Last recorded16,460 miles
Recorded on25 Jun 2025
Typical for 1997 Caterham Seven (S3)20,400 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Caterham
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationE1 SWS
MakeCaterham
ModelSeven (S3)
Year1997
ColourYellow
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,588cc

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50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

18 pass 4 fail
Pass 25 Jun 2025 16,460 miles
Pass 17 Jun 2024 16,427 miles
Pass 22 Jun 2023 16,046 miles
Pass 10 Dec 2021 15,960 miles
Pass 23 Nov 2020 15,800 miles
Fail 23 Nov 2020 15,800 miles

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 19 Jun 2019 15,677 miles
Pass 5 Jun 2018 15,455 miles
Pass 5 May 2017 15,047 miles
Pass 4 Jul 2015 14,441 miles
Pass 14 Jun 2014 14,147 miles
Pass 15 Jun 2013 14,049 miles
Pass 26 Apr 2012 13,613 miles
Pass 21 Apr 2011 12,711 miles
Pass 20 Apr 2010 11,801 miles
Fail 20 Apr 2010 11,801 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Front Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Pass 7 Apr 2009 10,717 miles
Fail 7 Apr 2009 10,717 miles

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Pass 7 Apr 2008 9,909 miles
Pass 20 Apr 2007 7,961 miles
Pass 22 Apr 2006 6,738 miles
Fail 22 Apr 2006 6,738 miles

Offside Front Obligatory mirror missing (8.1.1)

possible water leak from engine

How Reliable is the Caterham Seven (S3)?

Based on 32,485 MOT tests across 2,453 vehicles.

86.1%
Pass Rate
613
Miles/Year
55
Year Lifespan
2,453
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Stop lamp not working 476
Steering rack gaiter split 309
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 206
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 188
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 185
Full Caterham Seven (S3) reliability report

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E1 SWS is a 1997 Caterham Seven (S3) in Yellow with a 1,588cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 81.8%.

Across all 1997 Caterham Seven (S3) models, the average MOT pass rate is 86.2% with a typical mileage of 20,400 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Caterham Seven (S3) fails its MOT is stop lamp not working, accounting for 476 recorded failures. If you're considering buying E1 SWS, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Caterham Seven (S3) typically stays on UK roads for around 55 years. At 29 years old, this Caterham Seven (S3) is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of E1 SWS?

You can check the full history of E1 SWS by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was E1 SWS registered?

E1 SWS is a 1997 Caterham Seven (S3), first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is E1 SWS safe to buy?

The MOT history for E1 SWS shows 22 tests with a 81.8% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does E1 SWS have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on E1 SWS. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.