CarVerify

Free Car Check

L488 UGO

1994 Caterham Seven (S3)

Blue Petrol 1397cc
Search another vehicle

MOT Status

Valid
Expires2 Oct 2026
Tests29 (19 pass, 10 fail)
Pass rate65.5%

Mileage

55,354 mi
Last recorded55,354 miles
Recorded on3 Oct 2025
Typical for 1994 Caterham Seven (S3)27,444 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Caterham
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
Unlock full report — £4.99
Instant £30k guarantee
or single check £9.99

Not all car check providers offer a guarantee. Don't risk buying from services that can't back their data. CarVerify reports include a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

Vehicle Details

RegistrationL488 UGO
MakeCaterham
ModelSeven (S3)
Year1994
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,397cc

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 10 fail
Pass 3 Oct 2025 55,354 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases at joint / sleeve (6.1.2 (a))

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Nearside Rear fog-lamp not working

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

Nearside reversing lamp not working

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Windscreen wiper blade defective (3.4 (b) (i))

Rear anti - roll bar not fitted

Pass 6 Sep 2024 55,337 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases at joint (6.1.2 (a))

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

Nearside Front steering rack gaiter slightly perished

Rear anti-roll bar not fitted

Pass 30 Aug 2023 55,270 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases at joint (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement bush in suspension arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

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

Nearside foglamp not working

Nearside reverse lamp not working

Nearside steering rack gaiter perished / deteriorated

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement bush in suspension arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Rear anti-roll bar not fitted

radiator damaged

Pass 19 Aug 2022 55,011 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases at joint (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement bush on suspension arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside steering rack gaiter is deteriorated / perished

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement bush on suspension arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Rear anti - roll bar has been disconnected

steering lock not working

Fail 16 Aug 2022 55,009 miles

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

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases at joint (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement bush on suspension arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside steering rack gaiter is deteriorated / perished

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement bush on suspension arm (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Lower Suspension component ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Rear anti - roll bar has been disconnected

steering lock not working

Pass 7 Jan 2021 54,827 miles

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

Rear Chassis tubes around and under rear axle are showing signs of corrosion.

Rear anti roll bar not connected.

Pass 8 Jul 2019 54,692 miles

Nearside Front steering rack boot perished

Nearside Rear reversing lamp not working

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front brake slightly binding

Rear anti roll bar disconnected

damage to engine radiator

slight corrosion to chassis box sections/tubes

Fail 5 Jul 2019 54,673 miles

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

Nearside Front steering rack boot perished

Nearside Rear reversing lamp not working

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front brake slightly binding

Rear anti roll bar disconnected

damage to engine radiator

slight corrosion to chassis box sections/tubes

Pass 20 Jun 2018 54,414 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Offside Front brake binding slightly

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis tubes slightly corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 14 Jun 2018 54,396 miles

Horn not working (7.7 (a) (ii))

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

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

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

Offside Front brake binding slightly

Rear Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced chassis tubes slightly corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Spare tyre defective ()

Pass 8 Jun 2017 54,135 miles
Fail 8 Jun 2017 54,135 miles

Nearside Rear Electrical wiring insecure (1.9.2a)

Pass 9 Jun 2016 53,932 miles
Fail 9 Jun 2016 53,932 miles

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Pass 28 May 2015 53,455 miles

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

some wear in steering rack offside tierod

Fail 18 May 2015 53,455 miles

Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

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

some wear in steering rack offside tierod

Pass 14 May 2014 53,191 miles

Chassis is showing signs of slight corrosion

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

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

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Fail 7 May 2014 53,174 miles

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Chassis is showing signs of slight corrosion

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

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

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

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

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

Pass 10 May 2013 52,342 miles

Rear number plate is deteriorated but legible from a reasonable distance.

Steering lock is not working, but a permantly fitted immobiliser is fitted.

Fail 10 May 2013 52,342 miles

Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Exhaust system not adequately supported (7.1.1)

Nearside Front Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

Offside Front Tyre not fitted in accordance with side wall instructions (4.1.D.1f)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Rear number plate is deteriorated but legible from a reasonable distance.

Steering lock is not working, but a permantly fitted immobiliser is fitted.

Pass 8 May 2012 51,414 miles

Both wiper blades are showing signs of wear, but work effectively.

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Rear anti roll bar is disconnected.

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Fail 8 May 2012 51,414 miles

Both wiper blades are showing signs of wear, but work effectively.

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Rear anti roll bar is disconnected.

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 12 May 2011 49,068 miles

Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Front Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Rear anti roll bars disconnected

Rear registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (6.3.1d)

Pass 18 Jun 2010 48,751 miles

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Fail 9 Jun 2010 48,747 miles

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

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 24 Jun 2009 48,042 miles
Pass 17 Jun 2008 47,449 miles
Pass 31 May 2007 45,964 miles
Pass 20 Jun 2006 41,865 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

Don't risk it. Know before you buy.

Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

L488 UGO is a 1994 Caterham Seven (S3) in Blue with a 1,397cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 29 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 65.5%.

Across all 1994 Caterham Seven (S3) models, the average MOT pass rate is 86.0% with a typical mileage of 27,444 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 L488 UGO, 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 32 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 L488 UGO?

You can check the full history of L488 UGO by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was L488 UGO registered?

L488 UGO is a 1994 Caterham Seven (S3), first registered on 11 January 1994.

Is L488 UGO safe to buy?

The MOT history for L488 UGO shows 29 tests with a 65.5% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does L488 UGO 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 L488 UGO. 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.