How much does a 1990 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,737 (£145/month), including £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1990 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)?

The 1990 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) has a 87% MOT pass rate based on 31 tests in 2026. This ranks 39 out of 190 cars from 1990.

Which year CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) is most reliable?

The 2010 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) has the highest MOT pass rate at 98%. The least reliable year is 1993 at 81%.

CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) (1990)

Q: Is the 1990 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 87% of CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)s from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 31 tests. That's 5 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1990 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)?

The average mileage for a 1990 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) is 39,253 miles, which is significantly below the expected 266,400 miles for a 36-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 31 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,737

£145/month

MOT Pass Rate

87%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1298cc Petrol

Solid Option

87% pass rate, £1737/year to run. 5 points above average.

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Petrol1298cc36 years old31 tests39k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1298cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1298cc

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,737

Per month£145/mo

Per week£33/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

87% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the CATERHAM brand average of 91%.

At 36 years old, 87% of CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)s from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 31 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 39,253 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1990 cars39th of 190(top 21%)

Rank among CATERHAM models51th of 64(top 80%)

vs national average+5%(82% avg)

vs 1990 cars average+8%(79% avg)

vs CATERHAM average-4%(91% avg)

Mileage Analysis

39,253

Average miles

266,400

Expected for age

The average 1990 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) has 39,253 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 266,400 miles for a 36-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2010 model with a 98% MOT pass rate, while the 1993 model has the lowest at 81%. The 1990 sits between the two at 87%.

CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

-7%

ROVER MINI

1990 · 998cc Petrol

£1,390/year

80%

-7%

FORD ESCORT

1990 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,677/year

85%

-2%

PEUGEOT 205

1990 · 1360cc Petrol

£1,572/year

80%

-7%

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About the 1990 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)

The 1990 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) is a small family car with a 1298cc petrol engine. 31 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 21% of all 1990 cars for reliability.

With an average of 39,253 miles at 36 years old, CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1990 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) Fuel Costs

The 1298cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1990 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,737 (£145/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 87% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) Reliability Trend

Newer CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1990 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)

At 36 years old, the CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2010 model has the highest pass rate at 98%. Note: with only 31 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1990 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)'s fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1990 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)(1990)	87%	£1137	£195	Grp 8-20	£1737
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867+£130
ROVER MINI(1990)	80%	£955	£30	Grp 1-8	£1390-£347
FORD ESCORT(1990)	85%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£60
PEUGEOT 205(1990)	80%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1572-£165

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.