Caterham Superlight R400 MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 69 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 10.1%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Caterham Superlight R400 MOT Reliability Overview
The Caterham Superlight R400 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 69 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.9% and a failure rate of 10.1%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Caterham Superlight R400 earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Caterham Superlight R400 presents for MOT with approximately 14,219 miles on the clock. The 2008 manufacture year performs best with a 95.0% pass rate.
The most common MOT failure for the Caterham Superlight R400 is Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, affecting 2.9% of all tests. 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. The second most common issue is Noise, emissions and leaks at 2.9%. Steering rounds out the top three at 1.4%. Together, these top 3 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
Pass Rate by Manufacture Year
* 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 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 4.3% | 3 |
| 2 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 2.9% | 2 |
| 3 | Steering | 1.4% | 1 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.4% | 1 |
| 5 | Identification Of The Vehicle | 1.4% | 1 |
| 6 | Driver's View Of The Road | 1.4% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 14,219 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps & Electrical | 3.06 | 4.3% | 3 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.04 | 2.9% | 2 |
| Steering | 1.02 | 1.4% | 1 |
| Brakes | 1.02 | 1.4% | 1 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.02 | 1.4% | 1 |
| Visibility | 1.02 | 1.4% | 1 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Caterham Superlight R400 has 14,219 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 Superlight R400 has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 7.10% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Caterham Superlight R400 MOT Data
The Caterham Superlight R400 is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 69 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 1 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 89.9% and a failure rate of 10.1%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Caterham Superlight R400 owners, these results suggest a reliable vehicle that generally passes its MOT without major issues. Focus your pre-MOT checks on lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment and noise, emissions and leaks 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 Superlight R400 is likely to perform.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — 2.9% of failures
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues account for 2.9% of MOT failures on the Caterham Superlight R400. 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.
Noise, emissions and leaks — 2.9% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 2.9% of MOT failures on the Caterham Superlight R400. 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.
Steering — 1.4% of failures
Steering issues account for 1.4% of MOT failures on the Caterham Superlight R400. Steering failures include excessive play in the steering wheel, leaking power steering fluid, worn track rod ends, and damaged steering rack. These affect vehicle control and are closely related to suspension wear. Typical repair costs: £150–600. Pre-MOT check: Check for excessive steering wheel play (more than a few inches of free movement). Listen for whining from the power steering pump. Look for fluid leaks under the car near the front wheels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Caterham Superlight R400?
Based on 69 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Caterham Superlight R400 has an overall pass rate of 89.9% (10.1% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Caterham Superlight R400?
The top 3 reasons a Caterham Superlight R400 fails its MOT are: 1. Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (2.9%), 2. Noise, emissions and leaks (2.9%), 3. Steering (1.4%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Caterham Superlight R400 reliable?
With a 10.1% MOT failure rate, the Superlight R400 is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Caterham Superlight R400?
Based on failure data, focus on: Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment (2.9%); Noise, emissions and leaks (2.9%); Steering (1.4%). 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.