CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)1996 · 1.7L PETROL
Vehicle Insight Summary
Considering this 1996 CATERHAM SEVEN (S3)? It's a PETROL with a 1700cc engine showing 29,150 miles. MOT is valid and it's not currently taxed. View the full DVLA history below.
- Fuel
- PETROL
- Year
- 1996
- Engine
- 1700cc
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Public record health check: Good.
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Technical Specifications
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Full MOT History
Checking the history for this 1996 Caterham Seven (S3) (C7 MWA), we found 5 MOT results in the period of June 2021 to May 2026.
With 5 passes and 0 failures, the lifetime MOT pass rate stands at 100%. This is a strong MOT track record, suggesting the vehicle has been well-maintained.
The most commonly flagged areas across all MOT tests are: Lighting (3 issues), Suspension (2 issues), Steering (1 issue). These areas are worth paying attention to when inspecting this vehicle.
There are 6 advisory notices in the MOT history. Advisories are not failures but indicate areas that may need attention in the future.
AI insights are experimental and can be incorrect. All claims should be manually verified.
Buyer's Guide
AI-powered analysis based on real MOT data and market insights.
Our Verdict
This 1996 Caterham Seven S3 (C7MWA) is a well-preserved, low-mileage example with a largely clean MOT record and is worth serious consideration for a keen driver. The minor advisories noted over recent years are typical for a 30-year-old lightweight sports car and do not indicate serious structural or mechanical concern.
When viewing this Caterham, prioritise verifying the service history given the age of the vehicle, as MOT records alone will not confirm routine maintenance such as cambelt or chain intervals on the 1.7-litre unit. The 2023 MOT noted a perishing offside steering rack gator and slight coolant and oil leaks, so ask the seller what remedial work was carried out after that test and request evidence.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — AI-assisted analysis verified by automotive experts.
Data Sources
DVSA
MOT test records from the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency.
DVLA
Vehicle registration, tax, and specification data.
OneAutoAPI
Market valuation, warranty, and recall intelligence.
AI Analysis
Machine learning insights trained on millions of UK MOT records.
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