Caterham SEVEN - 1998
56.0 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 1998 is 342.9 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Caterham SEVEN, model year 1998.
Sample size: 101 cars, 184 tests and 103 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: 101 cars
The 1998 Caterham Seven exhibits a significantly lower overall defect rate than the average car of the same year, with only 56 defects per 100 vehicles compared to 339. This model shows particularly strong performance in categories such as Brakes and Steering, where it has 84% and 66% fewer defects than the average, respectively. Mileage trends indicate that the majority of defects occur in lower mileage ranges, particularly under 62,000 miles. Notably, the Caterham Seven excels in various areas, including Visibility and Lights & Electrics, where it also shows much lower defect rates compared to its peers.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 101 cars
Categories
Brakes
▲ 84.0% better
23.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 149.4 / 100 tests
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
- Parking brake inoperative on one side, or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight line
- 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
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
Steering
▲ 66.0% better
8.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.6 / 100 tests
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
- 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
▲ 79.5% better
5.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 26.3 / 100 tests
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
Lights & Electrics
▲ 83.7% better
10.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 66.7 / 100 tests
- A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- 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
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
- Stop lamp(s): all missing or inoperative
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 85.3% better
38.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 257.8 / 100 tests
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A wheel bearing: excessively rough
- A wheel bearing: with excessive play
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
Body/Structure
▲ 90.6% better
7.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 80.5 / 100 tests
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is 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
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
- Fuel system: leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap
Equipment
▲ 94.6% better
1.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 20.4 / 100 tests
- The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): anchorage likely to become detached in the event of a collision
Other
▲ 72.4% better
16.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 59.0 / 100 tests
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
- 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
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
A wheel bearing: with excessive play
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 11
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 9
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 8
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 8
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
MINOR
Occurrences: 5
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 4
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 3
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
Serious faults (Top 10)
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
A direction indicator: lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
FAIL
Occurrences: 3
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Parking brake inoperative on one side, or in the case of testing on the road, the vehicle deviates excessively from a straight line
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
Parking brake efficiency: less than 50% of the required value
FAIL
Occurrences: 2
5.2.3 (i) (i)
FAIL
Occurrences: 2