Caterham R 300 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 45 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 4.4%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Caterham R 300 MOT Reliability Overview
The Caterham R 300 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 45 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 95.6% and a failure rate of 4.4%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Caterham R 300 earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Caterham R 300 presents for MOT with approximately 18,684 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the Caterham R 300 is Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions, affecting 6.7% of all tests. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. The second most common issue is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment at 2.2%. Together, these top 2 failure categories account for a significant portion of all MOT failures for this model.
Top failures across all manufacture years combined. Individual year pages may show different top failures.
What Fails Most
* High Fail Rate badge indicates an MOT pass rate below 65% (failure rate above 35%).
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exhaust, Fuel And Emissions | 6.7% | 3 |
| 2 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 2.2% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 18,684 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emissions & Exhaust | 3.57 | 6.7% | 3 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 1.19 | 2.2% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Caterham R 300 has 18,684 miles when tested for MOT.
📊 Mileage-Adjusted Failure Rate
How often this car fails MOT relative to how much it's driven — a fairer comparison than raw pass rate.
The Caterham R 300 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 2.35% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is better than average.
About Caterham R 300 MOT Data
The Caterham R 300 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 45 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 95.6% and a failure rate of 4.4%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Caterham R 300 owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on exhaust, fuel and emissions and lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment for the best chance of a first-time pass. Use our detailed year-by-year breakdown and failure analysis below to understand how your specific R 300 is likely to perform.
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions — 6.7% of failures
Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions issues account for 6.7% of MOT failures on the Caterham R 300. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 2.2% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 2.2% of MOT failures on the Caterham R 300. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Caterham R 300?
Based on 45 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Caterham R 300 has an overall pass rate of 95.6% (4.4% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Caterham R 300?
The top 2 reasons a Caterham R 300 fails its MOT are: 1. Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (6.7%), 2. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (2.2%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Caterham R 300 reliable?
With a 4.4% MOT failure rate, the R 300 is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Caterham R 300?
Based on failure data, focus on: Exhaust, Fuel and Emissions (6.7%); Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (2.2%). These are the areas most likely to cause a fail. Also check all lights, tyres (minimum 1.6mm tread), and windscreen condition — these are quick wins that apply to all cars.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.