1998 Caterham 7 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for 7 models manufactured in 1998, based on 286 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1998 Caterham 7 MOT Analysis
The 1998 Caterham 7 has an MOT pass rate of 87.4% based on 286 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 19,611 miles on the odometer. With a 12.6% failure rate, the 1998 7 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1998 Caterham 7 is Brakes, responsible for 1.4% 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. Body, chassis, structure is the second most common issue at 0.7%.
Top failures specific to 1998 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 | 1.4% | 4 |
| 2 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 0.7% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 19,611 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 | 0.71 | 1.4% | 4 |
| Body & Structure | 0.36 | 0.7% | 2 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1998 Caterham 7 has an MOT pass rate of 87.4% based on 286 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 19,611 miles on the odometer. With a 12.6% failure rate, the 1998 7 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1998 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 19,611 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Brakes — 1.4% of failures
Brakes issues account for 1.4% of MOT failures on 1998 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).
Body, chassis, structure — 0.7% of failures
Body, chassis, structure issues account for 0.7% of MOT failures on 1998 Caterham 7 models. Body and structure failures include excessive corrosion, sharp edges, loose panels, and damage to the vehicle frame. Rust is the primary concern, especially on older vehicles or those exposed to road salt. Typical repair costs: £100–500+. Pre-MOT check: Inspect sills, wheel arches, door bottoms, and the chassis for rust. Surface rust is acceptable but structural corrosion or holes will fail. Check that all doors, bonnet, and boot close securely.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.