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J7 FNW

1996 Caterham Seven (S3)

Green Petrol 1691cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires8 Jun 2026
Tests24 (19 pass, 5 fail)
Pass rate79.2%

Mileage

33,137 mi
Last recorded33,137 miles
Recorded on9 Jun 2025
Typical for 1996 Caterham Seven (S3)24,518 mi

Above average mileage for this year

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

RegistrationJ7 FNW
MakeCaterham
ModelSeven (S3)
Year1996
ColourGreen
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,691cc

All premium checks include

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

19 pass 5 fail
Pass 9 Jun 2025 33,137 miles

Central Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Position lamp slightly affected by the operation of another lamp slightly affected when nearside direction indicator operates (4.2.3 (c))

Offside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Fail 2 Jun 2025 33,137 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Fuel system component leaking at both carburettor fuel inlets (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (4.1.2 (a))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect too high & image kicks up to the offside (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Central Stop lamp(s) with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning (4.3.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Nail in tyre ()

Nearside Rear Position lamp slightly affected by the operation of another lamp slightly affected when nearside direction indicator operates (4.2.3 (c))

Offside Front Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Obligatory mirror slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Track rod end ball joint has slight play (2.1.3 (b) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Fail 21 May 2025 33,128 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Pass 23 May 2024 32,747 miles
Pass 16 May 2023 31,511 miles
Pass 3 May 2022 30,475 miles
Pass 18 May 2021 27,207 miles
Pass 2 Jul 2019 26,920 miles
Pass 22 Jun 2018 26,113 miles

Offside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 30 Jun 2017 25,237 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Parking brake lever has little reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Pass 28 Jun 2016 24,664 miles

Nearside Front Axle swivel joint has slight movement between a swivel joint and its housing (2.5.A.1b)

Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 24 Jun 2015 23,497 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b)

Pass 30 Jun 2014 20,198 miles
Pass 26 Jun 2013 18,819 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 8 May 2012 17,956 miles
Pass 22 Apr 2011 15,520 miles
Pass 20 Apr 2010 13,836 miles
Fail 19 Apr 2010 13,836 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)

Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Pass 9 Apr 2009 10,755 miles
Pass 16 Apr 2008 9,732 miles

offside rear half-shaft seal leaking

Fail 16 Apr 2008 9,732 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (7.3.B.1a)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

offside rear half-shaft seal leaking

Pass 6 Apr 2007 9,185 miles
Pass 24 Mar 2006 9,044 miles
Fail 24 Mar 2006 9,044 miles

Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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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J7 FNW is a 1996 Caterham Seven (S3) in Green with a 1,691cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 24 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 79.2%.

Across all 1996 Caterham Seven (S3) models, the average MOT pass rate is 86.6% with a typical mileage of 24,518 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 J7 FNW, 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 30 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 J7 FNW?

You can check the full history of J7 FNW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J7 FNW registered?

J7 FNW is a 1996 Caterham Seven (S3), first registered on 1 April 1996.

Is J7 FNW safe to buy?

The MOT history for J7 FNW shows 24 tests with a 79.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J7 FNW 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 J7 FNW. 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.