How much does a 2003 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,897 (£158/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)?

The 2003 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) has a 94% MOT pass rate based on 106 tests in 2026. This ranks 13 out of 445 cars from 2003.

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) (2003)

Q: Is the 2003 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)s from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 106 tests. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2003 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)?

The average mileage for a 2003 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) is 29,269 miles, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-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 106 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,897

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1796cc Petrol

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £1897/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Petrol1796cc23 years old106 tests29k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1796cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1796cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,897

Per month£158/mo

Per week£36/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

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%.

At 23 years old, 94% of CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)s from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 106 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 29,269 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars13th of 445(top 3%)

Rank among CATERHAM models19th of 64(top 30%)

vs national average+12%(82% avg)

vs 2003 cars average+22%(72% avg)

vs CATERHAM average+3%(91% avg)

Mileage Analysis

29,269

Average miles

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) has 29,269 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)?

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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 2003 sits between the two at 94%.

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

MINI MINI

2005 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,827/year

71%

-23%

FORD FOCUS

2005 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,827/year

71%

-23%

FORD FIESTA

2003 · 1388cc Petrol

£1,722/year

71%

-23%

TOYOTA YARIS

2005 · 1299cc Petrol

£1,722/year

73%

-21%

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About the 2003 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)

The 2003 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) is a family car with a 1796cc petrol engine. 106 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 3% of all 2003 cars for reliability.

With an average of 29,269 miles at 23 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.

2003 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3) Fuel Costs

The 1796cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2003 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,897 (£158/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2003 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)

At 23 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%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)'s fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 23 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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 2003 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)(2003)	94%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£1897
MINI MINI(2005)	71%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£70
FORD FOCUS(2005)	71%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£70
FORD FIESTA(2003)	71%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£175
TOYOTA YARIS(2005)	73%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£175

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.