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CATERHAM UNCLASSIFIED (2006)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 38 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,807

£151/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1588cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £1807/year to run. 7 points above average.

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Petrol1588cc20 years old38 tests17k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1588cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137
Road Tax

Based on 1588cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,807
Per month£151/mo
Per week£35/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

89% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the national average of 82%.

At 20 years old, 89% of CATERHAM UNCLASSIFIEDs from 2006 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 38 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 17,088 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2006 cars57th of 575(top 10%)
Rank among CATERHAM models43th of 64(top 67%)
vs national average+7%(82% avg)
vs 2006 cars average+16%(73% avg)
vs CATERHAM average-2%(91% avg)

Mileage Analysis

17,088

Average miles

vs

148,000

Expected for age

The average 2006 CATERHAM UNCLASSIFIED has 17,088 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 148,000 miles for a 20-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 2015 model with a 97% MOT pass rate, while the 2021 model has the lowest at 86%. The 2006 sits between the two at 89%.

CATERHAM UNCLASSIFIED by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202186%2034,806 mi
202091%1815,349 mi
201990%3275,345 mi
201892%3556,207 mi
201792%3218,044 mi
201691%24711,388 mi
201597%6511,540 mi
201488%408,392 mi
201392%22214,969 mi
201290%8815,657 mi
201184%3811,795 mi
2010100%3014,394 mi
200884%3212,150 mi
200689%3817,088 mi
199985%4822,308 mi

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About the 2006 CATERHAM UNCLASSIFIED

The 2006 CATERHAM UNCLASSIFIED is a small family car with a 1588cc petrol engine. 38 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 10% of all 2006 cars for reliability.

With an average of 17,088 miles at 20 years old, CATERHAM UNCLASSIFIED 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.

2006 CATERHAM UNCLASSIFIED Fuel Costs

The 1588cc 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 2006 CATERHAM UNCLASSIFIED?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,807 151/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

CATERHAM UNCLASSIFIED Reliability Trend

The CATERHAM UNCLASSIFIED has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2006 CATERHAM UNCLASSIFIED

At 20 years old, the CATERHAM UNCLASSIFIED 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 2015 model has the highest pass rate at 97%. Note: with only 38 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2006 CATERHAM UNCLASSIFIED'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 2006 CATERHAM UNCLASSIFIED stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
CATERHAM UNCLASSIFIED(2006)89%£1137£265Grp 12-25£1807
FORD FIESTA(2008)72%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£85
FORD FOCUS(2008)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827+£20
VAUXHALL CORSA(2008)73%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£85
BMW 3 SERIES(2007)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867+£60

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.

Related Caterham Models

Explore other Caterham cars or similar models in the same category.

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