1989 Caterham 7 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 7 models manufactured in 1989, based on 70 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1989 Caterham 7 MOT Analysis
The 1989 Caterham 7 has an MOT pass rate of 87.1% based on 70 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 24,543 miles on the odometer. With a 12.9% failure rate, the 1989 7 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1989 Caterham 7 is Brakes, responsible for 4.3% 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.
Top failures specific to 1989 models only. The overall 7 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 | 4.3% | 3 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 24,543 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 | 1.75 | 4.3% | 3 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1989 Caterham 7 has an MOT pass rate of 87.1% based on 70 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 24,543 miles on the odometer. With a 12.9% failure rate, the 1989 7 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1989 Caterham 7, 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 24,543 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Brakes — 4.3% of failures
Brakes issues account for 4.3% of MOT failures on 1989 Caterham 7 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).
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.