Caterham SEVEN - 1997
58.7 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1997 is 338.4 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Caterham SEVEN, model year 1997.
Sample size: 110 cars, 206 tests and 121 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Quick summary
Total: 110 cars
The 1997 Caterham Seven has a significantly lower overall defect rate of 59 defects per 100 vehicles compared to the average of 335 defects per 100 vehicles, marking an impressive reduction of 82%. The model shows notable strengths in categories such as brakes, steering, and visibility, with defects in these areas being much less frequent than the average car. Mileage-related trends indicate higher defects in lower mileage ranges, particularly below 62,000 miles, which contrasts with the increasing defect rates seen in the average vehicle as mileage increases. Overall, the Caterham Seven stands out positively in several key categories, showcasing its reliability compared to similar models from the same year.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 110 cars
Categories
Brakes
▲ 82.1% better
25.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 141.1 / 100 tests
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
- Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
Steering
▲ 78.8% better
5.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 27.4 / 100 tests
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
- Steering gear fixing bolts: missing or ineffective to the extent that attachment is seriously affected
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
- Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
Visibility
▲ 88.5% better
2.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.2 / 100 tests
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
Lights & Electrics
▲ 85.2% better
9.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.5 / 100 tests
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
- A front or rear fog lamp: with a multiple light source up to 1/2 not functioning
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 79.9% better
50.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 250.7 / 100 tests
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- A wheel bearing: with excessive play
- A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
Body/Structure
▲ 90.7% better
7.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 83.8 / 100 tests
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- Fuel system: leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap
- A driver’s seat: insecure
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
Equipment
▲ 100.0% better
0.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 22.1 / 100 tests
Other
▲ 74.6% better
15.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 61.0 / 100 tests
- Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
- Emissions test unable to be completed
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 12
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 9
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 8
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 8
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 6
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 4
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
A suspension joint dust cover: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 4
Serious faults (Top 10)
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Brakes imbalance across an axle such that: the braking effort from any wheel is less than 70% of the maximum effort recorded from the other wheel on the same axle. Or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight lin
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
A tyre incorrectly seated on the wheel rim
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 2