1997 Caterham 21 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 21 models manufactured in 1997, based on 167 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1997 Caterham 21 MOT Analysis
The 1997 Caterham 21 has an MOT pass rate of 79.6% based on 167 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 36,525 miles on the odometer. With a 20.4% failure rate, the 1997 21 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1997 Caterham 21 is Brakes, responsible for 1.8% of failures. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs range from £150–400. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the second most common issue at 0.6%.
Top failures specific to 1997 models only. The overall 21 page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 1.8% | 3 |
| 2 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 0.6% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 36,525 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 0.49 | 1.8% | 3 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.16 | 0.6% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1997 Caterham 21 has an MOT pass rate of 79.6% based on 167 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 36,525 miles on the odometer. With a 20.4% failure rate, the 1997 21 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1997 Caterham 21, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to brakes: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm). With relatively low average mileage of 36,525 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Brakes — 1.8% of failures
Brakes issues account for 1.8% of MOT failures on 1997 Caterham 21 models. Brake-related failures include worn brake pads, corroded brake discs, leaking brake lines, and faulty brake servos. These are safety-critical components — any brake deficiency will result in an MOT fail. Typical repair costs: £150–400. Pre-MOT check: Listen for squealing or grinding noises. Check brake pedal feel — if it feels spongy or goes to the floor, have the system inspected immediately. Look at brake pad thickness through the wheel spokes (minimum 3mm).
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 0.6% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 0.6% of MOT failures on 1997 Caterham 21 models. Lighting failures cover all external lights: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, fog lights, and reflectors. A single blown bulb will cause an MOT fail. This is one of the most preventable failure categories. Typical repair costs: £5–50. Pre-MOT check: Walk around the car and check every light — headlights (dipped and main beam), side lights, tail lights, brake lights, indicators, hazard lights, reverse light, rear fog light, and number plate lights. Replace any blown bulbs before the test.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.