The MOT Files

Make overview

Caterham MOT pass rates by model

Data updated

Quick answer

Caterham cars pass 87.7% of MOT tests across 1,106 recorded tests, against a national average of 72.3%. We hold data for 1 Caterham models. The item recorded most often on a failed Caterham is lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer.

Tests analysed
1,106
Unadjusted pass rate
87.7%
Models with data
1

Unadjusted, not ranked

Other Caterham models with MOT data

These models have at least 500 recorded tests, but their tested examples do not span enough ages and mileages to rank fairly. Their failure and advisory patterns are still drawn from real tests.

ModelUnadjusted pass rateTests
Caterham Seven (S3)87.7%1,106

Across the range

What Caterham cars fail on most

Share of failed Caterham tests recording each item, summed across every model above.

  1. 1.Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer12.3%

    Emissions above the permitted limit explained

  2. 2.Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc10.7%

    Steering rack gaiter split, damaged or missing explained

  3. 3.Emissions levels exceed default limits9.8%

    Emissions above the permitted limit explained

  4. 4.Stop lamps all missing or inoperative8.2%

    Stop lamp not working explained

  5. 5.Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake8.2%

    Brake binding or imbalanced across an axle explained

  6. 6.An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning7.4%

    Lamp not working explained

Common questions

What is the MOT pass rate for Caterham?
Across 1,106 recorded MOT tests, 87.7% of Caterham tests ended in a pass, against a national average of 72.3%. A make-level figure blends very different cars, so the individual model pages are the more useful comparison.
What do Caterham cars most often fail their MOT on?
The most commonly recorded failure item across Caterham tests is "Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer", appearing in 12.3% of failed tests. One failed test can list several items, so these shares do not add up to 100%.
Why do some Caterham models not have a pass rate ranking?
A model is only ranked when its tested examples cover a wide enough spread of ages and mileages for a fair comparison. 0 of the 1 Caterham models here qualify. For the rest we publish the unadjusted rate and the failure patterns, but not a rank, because comparing unadjusted rates mostly sorts cars by how new they are.

How to read these figures

Why the adjusted rate is the fair one

An unadjusted pass rate is strongly driven by the age and mileage of the cars being tested, not by how well they were built. A model bought mainly as a lightly used second car will look better than an identical car sold to high-mileage drivers. Adjusting for age and mileage compares each model against cars that have lived a similar life.

For a specific car, its own record beats any model average — check that vehicle’s MOT history and read what testers actually recorded against it.

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