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J917 PAY

1992 Caterham Seven (S3)

Red Petrol 1397cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires13 Feb 2027
Tests26 (18 pass, 8 fail)
Pass rate69.2%

Mileage

47,356 mi
Last recorded47,356 miles
Recorded on14 Feb 2026
Typical for 1992 Caterham Seven (S3)24,980 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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Vehicle Details

RegistrationJ917 PAY
MakeCaterham
ModelSeven (S3)
Year1992
ColourRed
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,397cc
View full Caterham Seven (S3) reliability data

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

18 pass 8 fail
Pass 14 Feb 2026 47,356 miles

Offside Front Position lamp light intensity obviously reduced (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Fail 13 Feb 2026 47,355 miles

Dipswitch does not operate immediately when selected on dipped beam (4.1.3 (b))

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam both sides (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Front Headlamp not working on main beam both sides (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

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

Offside Front Position lamp light intensity obviously reduced (4.2.3 (a) (i))

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Pass 11 Feb 2025 46,859 miles

Parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Fail 17 Jul 2024 46,855 miles

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Position lamp light intensity significantly reduced (4.2.3 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Rear Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Inner Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (1.1.13 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt Deteriorated (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Nearside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Pass 2 Jun 2023 46,643 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective rubber starting to split (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective rubber starting to split (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Fail 1 Jun 2023 46,643 miles

Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Nearside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade defective rubber starting to split (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Front Windscreen wiper blade defective rubber starting to split (3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Pass 9 Mar 2022 46,253 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Pass 10 Mar 2021 45,646 miles

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Fail 2 Mar 2021 45,645 miles

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

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

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Pass 24 May 2019 45,619 miles

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 30 May 2018 45,275 miles

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 23 May 2017 45,022 miles

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Fail 23 May 2017 45,022 miles

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Nearside front brakes release unevenly (3.7.B.4)

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

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Pass 25 May 2016 44,607 miles

Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Pass 26 May 2015 44,028 miles
Pass 28 May 2014 43,266 miles
Fail 27 May 2014 43,266 miles

Headlamp switch faulty (1.7.1)

Nearside Outer Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Outer Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Pass 11 Sep 2012 42,194 miles

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

Pass 10 Aug 2011 41,422 miles
Pass 3 Jun 2010 40,589 miles

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

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

Pass 29 Sep 2008 39,880 miles
Fail 29 Sep 2008 39,880 miles

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

Fail 22 Jun 2007 39,447 miles

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

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Pass 22 Jun 2007 39,447 miles

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

Pass 15 Jun 2006 39,059 miles
Pass 14 Jun 2005 38,511 miles

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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J917 PAY is a 1992 Caterham Seven (S3) in Red with a 1,397cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 69.2%.

Across all 1992 Caterham Seven (S3) models, the average MOT pass rate is 84.1% with a typical mileage of 24,980 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 J917 PAY, 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 34 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 J917 PAY?

You can check the full history of J917 PAY by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was J917 PAY registered?

J917 PAY is a 1992 Caterham Seven (S3), first registered on 30 December 1992.

Is J917 PAY safe to buy?

The MOT history for J917 PAY shows 26 tests with a 69.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does J917 PAY 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 J917 PAY. 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.