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Official DVLA Record

2008 Caterham Seven 1.6L Petrol · VX08 AVC

VX08 AVC

2008 Caterham Seven (1.6L, petrol). First registered 01 Mar 2008. Recorded mileage 16,312 miles. MOT expired on 10 Jul 2023. Currently declared SORN.

Make & Model
CATERHAM SEVEN
Year / Origin
2008 · Worcester
Safety Recall
Unknown
MOT Status
Expired on 10 Jul 2023
Road Tax
SORN
Recorded Mileage
16,312 mi
ULEZ Compliance
ULEZ Compliant (Euro 4+)
Fuel & Engine
Petrol · 1.6L
Reliability Guide
Common Faults
MOT Status
Expired
Expired on 10 Jul 2023
Tax Status
SORN
Statutory Off Road (SORN)
Fuel Type
Petrol
Year
2008
Engine
1598cc
Mechanical Assessment

AI-generated interpretation of this vehicle’s MOT record — not an official statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

The most recent MOT record is from July 2022, which means there is a significant gap of nearly four years without a recorded test. This lack of recent data makes it impossible to confirm the vehicle's current roadworthiness. There is a clear and persistent pattern of wear regarding the rear anti-roll bar linkage ball joints, which appeared as advisories in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2022. Because these same issues were noted in both 2021 and 2022, it suggests that these components were not replaced and the condition remained stagnant rather than improving. The mileage is very low for an 18-year-old vehicle, averaging only 906 miles per year. While this indicates light use, it often suggests long periods of standing. This is supported by the 2019 entry noting slightly binding rear brakes and play in the rear universal joint and wheel bearing, which are common symptoms of a car that has spent significant time stationary. The overall trend is stable but neglected, as the same minor defects were carried forward across multiple years. The presence of cuts in the rear tyres in the most recent entries further suggests the vehicle may have been stored in an environment where the rubber has degraded or suffered superficial damage. A buyer should first inspect the rear anti-roll bar linkages for excessive play and check the brakes to ensure they are not seized after the long period of inactivity.
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VX08 AVC Key Findings

  • 12 MOT tests recorded
  • Latest MOT passed on 12/07/2022
  • 16,312 miles recorded at latest MOT
  • 1 historical MOT failure
  • 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
  • Recurring lighting items (12 mentions)

Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.

VX08 AVC MOT History

Vehicle record last updated: 4 Nov 2026, 02:09
MOT Analysis

Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.

12 MOT tests are recorded for this 2008 Caterham Seven (VX08 AVC) between April 2011 and July 2022.

The record contains 11 passes and 1 failure.

The most recent test on 12 July 2022 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.

Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (12 issues), Tyres (4 issues), Steering (3 issues), Brakes (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.

In total 18 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.

Recorded failure items include: “Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is fractured floor pan (5.2.6)”; “Offside Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped in engine bay (3.6.B.1)”.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY

VX08 AVC Mileage History

  1. 09/05/20124,093 mi
  2. 22/03/20135,452 mi+1,359 mi
  3. 12/03/20147,727 mi+2,275 mi
  4. 24/03/20158,505 mi+778 mi
  5. 24/05/20168,956 mi+451 mi
  6. 25/05/20168,957 mi+1 mi
  7. 25/05/201711,680 mi+2,723 mi
  8. 25/05/201813,262 mi+1,582 mi
  9. 27/06/201914,792 mi+1,530 mi
  10. 01/06/202116,064 mi+1,272 mi
  11. 12/07/202216,312 mi+248 mi

Average of roughly 1,201 miles per year across 11 recorded odometer readings.

Technical Specifications

ULEZ Compliant

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MOT Roadworthiness Analysis
60
/ 100 · Average
DVSA Test Records Evaluated

MOT Roadworthiness: Average

This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.

MOT Expired or Failed
Tax Status Unknown
Exceptional MOT pass rate (100%)
Older vehicle
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Experian Provenance Data

Vehicle Provenance Investigation

9 Key Registers

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OUTSTANDING FINANCE

Experian Register

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INSURANCE WRITE-OFF

MIAFTR Register

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POLICE STOLEN (PNC)

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SALVAGE & AUCTION

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IMPORTED RECORD

Import Register

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EXPORTED MARKER

Export Register

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SCRAPPED RECORD

Scrappage Register

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CERTIFICATE OF DESTRUCTION

Statutory CoD

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V5C LOGBOOK & KEEPERS

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Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory

Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.

Buying Score
72/100
Risk Level
Medium
Medium
Est. Annual Cost
£800-£1,200
Mileage
At 16,312 miles recorded in July 2022 fo...

Our Verdict

This 2008 Caterham Seven (VX08AVC) is a low-mileage, enthusiast-owned lightweight sports car with a clean MOT pass record, but recurring minor advisories mean a thorough inspection is needed before purchase. We recommend buying only if the specific worn components noted in the MOT history have been addressed or are reflected in the price.

Request full service history and proof of any chassis or suspension work, as Caterham Sevens are often modified or track-used despite low recorded mileage. Use the consistent advisories around rear suspension and tyres to negotiate, as replacement of ball joints and tyres will be required soon if not already done. Verify the 1.6-litre petrol engine's maintenance given the car's age and intermittent use.

Fuel economy for a 1.6-litre Caterham Seven is generally favourable due to low weight, but no figure is stated in the supplied data. Estimated annual running cost including fuel, tax, insurance and routine maintenance is approximately £800-£1,200 given low annual mileage and minor wear items. Budget extra if track use is intended.

Confirm the rear brakes are not binding, as slight binding was advised in 2019, and assess overall chassis condition given the car's 14 years. Because no model aggregate data is available, lean on a specialist inspection to validate the 1.6-litre unit and bespoke Caterham suspension. The yellow paintwork should also be checked for UV fade or stone damage typical of open-top use.

The yellow 2008 Caterham Seven shows just 16,312 miles on its most recent 2022 MOT, well below typical use for a 14-year-old vehicle and suggesting limited road use. All six MOT tests from 2017 to 2022 passed, though several noted repeated slight play in rear anti-roll bar ball joints and tyre cuts. No aggregate reliability data exists for the Caterham Seven, so assessment rests solely on this vehicle's individual history.

No aggregate MOT reliability data is available for the Caterham Seven, so reliability assessment is limited to this vehicle's individual test history which shows only minor advisories and no failures.

Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.

Data Sources

DVSA

Official MOT test logs & failure reasons

DVLA

Tax, registration & powertrain specs

Experian

Finance, stolen markers & total loss

AI Analysis

Historical fault & advisory patterns