Caterham Seven (S3)

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 23 model years from 2,214 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

91%

Total Tests

2,214

Highest Pass Rate

1998 (97%)

Years Covered

About the Caterham Seven (S3)

The Caterham Seven (S3) was MOT tested 2,214 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 23 model years (1990 to 2012), with an average pass rate of 91%. That's comfortably above the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 model has the highest pass rate at 97% from 181 tests. The 1997 model has the lowest at 86%. The 11 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

The Caterham Seven (S3) has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 39,253 miles, while the newest (2012) averages 16,004 miles.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1588cc)

£1,398

Road Tax

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,928

Per month£161/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2012 details

How reliable is the Caterham Seven (S3)?

vs average of all models+9% (82% avg)

vs Caterham brand average+0% (91% avg)

Best to worst year spread11 percentage points

Reliability trendStable over years

Caterham Seven (S3) by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2012	93%	40	16,004 mi
2011	93%	30	14,241 mi
2010	98%	85	16,427 mi
2009	95%	62	16,632 mi
2008	96%	78	17,886 mi
2007	91%	68	21,458 mi
2006	90%	72	22,879 mi
2005	94%	108	25,049 mi
2004	88%	117	24,266 mi
2003	94%	106	29,269 mi
2002	93%	117	30,776 mi
2001	88%	74	23,704 mi
2000	90%	110	30,131 mi
1999	94%	213	28,243 mi
1998	97%	181	22,980 mi
1997	86%	206	27,923 mi
1996	91%	136	32,005 mi
1995	87%	68	38,407 mi
1994	94%	113	36,410 mi
1993	81%	80	28,863 mi
1992	87%	68	31,446 mi
1991	88%	51	30,774 mi
1990	87%	31	39,253 mi

Questions about the Caterham Seven (S3)

Is the Caterham Seven (S3) reliable?

Across its 23 model years in our data (1990 to 2012), the Caterham Seven (S3) averages a 91% MOT pass rate, from 2,214 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 9 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 1998 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 97%.

Which year Caterham Seven (S3) has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1998 Caterham Seven (S3) has the highest MOT pass rate at 97%, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 86%, a 11 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.