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P172 MLE

1996 Caterham Seven (S3)

Blue Petrol 1699cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires18 Jun 2027
Tests22 (19 pass, 3 fail)
Pass rate86.4%

Mileage

4,888 mi
Last recorded4,888 miles
Recorded on19 Jun 2026
Typical for 1996 Caterham Seven (S3)24,518 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

RegistrationP172 MLE
MakeCaterham
ModelSeven (S3)
Year1996
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,699cc

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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

19 pass 3 fail
Pass 19 Jun 2026 4,888 miles
Pass 24 Feb 2026 4,868 miles
Pass 5 Aug 2024 4,833 miles
Pass 31 Aug 2022 4,811 miles
Pass 23 Aug 2021 4,767 miles
Pass 26 Aug 2020 4,645 miles

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

Pass 8 Aug 2019 4,220 miles

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

Pass 7 Aug 2018 3,701 miles
Pass 25 Aug 2017 3,344 miles
Fail 24 Aug 2017 3,341 miles

Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Steering wheel locking device insecure steering wheel feels inscure (2.1.6)

Pass 30 Aug 2016 2,837 miles
Fail 26 Aug 2016 2,837 miles

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

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

Front Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Pass 8 Jul 2015 2,337 miles
Pass 8 Jul 2014 1,649 miles
Pass 31 Jul 2013 895 miles
Pass 23 Nov 2011 855 miles
Pass 15 Nov 2010 698 miles
Pass 18 Nov 2009 473 miles
Pass 6 Dec 2008 213 miles
Pass 5 Dec 2007 58 miles
Fail 29 Nov 2006 19,999 miles

Nearside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the right. (1.8)

Offside Headlamp aim too high and too far to the left. (1.8)

Pass 29 Nov 2006 19,999 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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P172 MLE is a 1996 Caterham Seven (S3) in Blue with a 1,699cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 22 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 86.4%.

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 P172 MLE, 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 P172 MLE?

You can check the full history of P172 MLE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P172 MLE registered?

P172 MLE is a 1996 Caterham Seven (S3), first registered on 20 November 1996.

Is P172 MLE safe to buy?

The MOT history for P172 MLE shows 22 tests with a 86.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P172 MLE 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 P172 MLE. 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.