Caterham Seven (S3) (1998)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 181 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,028

£169/month

MOT Pass Rate

97%

Excellent

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1599cc Petrol

Great Choice

97% pass rate, £2,028/year to run. 15 points above average.

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Petrol1599cc28 years old181 tests23k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1599cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,028

Per month£169/mo

Per week£39/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

97% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 15 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Caterham brand average of 91%.

97% of MOT tests on Caterham Seven (S3)s from 1998 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 26 years old. That's based on 181 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 22,980 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 models8th of 325(top 3%)

Rank among Caterham models8th of 49(top 17%)

vs average of all models+15%(82% avg)

vs 1998 models average+22%(75% avg)

vs Caterham average+6%(91% avg)

Mileage Analysis

22,980

Average miles

192,400

Expected for age

The average 1998 Caterham Seven (S3) had 22,980 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-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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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

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Vauxhall Corsa

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Nissan Micra

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About the 1998 Caterham Seven (S3)

The 1998 Caterham Seven (S3) is a small family car. Our records list a 1599cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 181 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 3% of all 1998 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 22,980 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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.

1998 Caterham Seven (S3) Fuel Costs

The 1599cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1998 Caterham Seven (S3)?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,028 (£169/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 97% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Caterham Seven (S3) Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 1998 Caterham Seven (S3)

At 28 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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 1998 Caterham Seven (S3) stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Caterham Seven (S3)(1998)	97%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,028
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£300
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£533
Vauxhall Corsa(1999)	89%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,810-£218
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183+£155

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1998 Caterham Seven (S3)

Is the 1998 Caterham Seven (S3) reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 97% of MOT tests on 1998 Caterham Seven (S3)s ended in a pass, from 181 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 15 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1998 Caterham Seven (S3) cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,028 a year (£169 a month): £1,398 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 Caterham Seven (S3)?

97% of 181 MOT tests on the 1998 Caterham Seven (S3) ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 8th of 325 models first registered in 1998 (top 3%).

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% and the 1997 the lowest at 86%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1998 Caterham Seven (S3)?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1998 Caterham Seven (S3) is 22,980 miles, which is significantly below the expected 192,400 miles for a 26-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.