1982 Caterham Seven (s3) MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for Seven (s3) models manufactured in 1982, based on 64 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
1982 Caterham Seven (s3) MOT Analysis
The 1982 Caterham Seven (s3) has an MOT pass rate of 84.4% based on 64 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 51,249 miles on the odometer. With a 15.6% failure rate, the 1982 Seven (s3) is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 1982 Caterham Seven (s3) is Brakes, responsible for 1.6% 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 1982 models only. The overall Seven (s3) 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 | 1.6% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 51,249 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 | 0.30 | 1.6% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 1982 Caterham Seven (s3) has an MOT pass rate of 84.4% based on 64 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 51,249 miles on the odometer. With a 15.6% failure rate, the 1982 Seven (s3) is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 1982 Caterham Seven (s3), 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). At 51,249 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Brakes — 1.6% of failures
Brakes issues account for 1.6% of MOT failures on 1982 Caterham Seven (s3) 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.