Caterham Superlite MOT Pass Rate
Overall pass rate across all manufacture years, based on 31 real MOT test results. Failure rate: 16.1%.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
Caterham Superlite MOT Reliability Overview
The Caterham Superlite is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 31 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.9% and a failure rate of 16.1%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
Based on this data, the Caterham Superlite earns a "Excellent" reliability rating. The average Caterham Superlite presents for MOT with approximately 11,221 miles on the clock.
The most common MOT failure for the Caterham Superlite is Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment, affecting 19.4% 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 Suspension at 6.5%. 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 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 32.3% | 10 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.5% | 2 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 11,221 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 | 28.75 | 32.3% | 10 |
| Suspension | 5.75 | 6.5% | 2 |
🚗 Similar Cars to Consider
Mileage at MOT
The average Caterham Superlite has 11,221 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 Superlite has a mileage-adjusted failure rate of 14.35% per 10,000 miles driven. The average across all makes is 5.38%, so this model is worse than average.
About Caterham Superlite MOT Data
The Caterham Superlite is a rare vehicle in the UK, with 31 MOT test results recorded in our database spanning 0 manufacture years. It has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.9% and a failure rate of 16.1%, which is well above the UK average of approximately 37%.
For Caterham Superlite 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 suspension 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 Superlite is likely to perform.
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment — 19.4% of failures
Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment issues account for 19.4% of MOT failures on the Caterham Superlite. 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.
Suspension — 6.5% of failures
Suspension issues account for 6.5% of MOT failures on the Caterham Superlite. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Caterham Superlite?
Based on 31 (based on limited data) MOT tests in our database, the Caterham Superlite has an overall pass rate of 83.9% (16.1% fail rate).
What are the most common MOT failures on a Caterham Superlite?
The top 2 reasons a Caterham Superlite fails its MOT are: 1. Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (19.4%), 2. Suspension (6.5%). Check these areas before booking your MOT.
Is the Caterham Superlite reliable?
With a 16.1% MOT failure rate, the Superlite is more reliable than average compared to the UK average of ~40%.
What should I check before an MOT on my Caterham Superlite?
Based on failure data, focus on: Lamps, Reflectors and Electrical Equipment (19.4%); Suspension (6.5%). 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.