1976 Caterham 7 1.7L Petrol · EHJ 150P

A near‑perfect MOT record over the last six years demonstrates that the car has presented no safety‑critical faults, with only a single failure in 2023 for a non‑functioning horn and an off‑side rear position lamp that was adversely affected by another lamp’s operation. The most recent MOT on 31 March 2026 passed without any recorded defects, confirming that the vehicle continues to meet the statutory safety requirements. With 97,105 miles logged on a 1976 model, the average annual accumulation is roughly 1,940 miles, which is low for a vehicle of this age. The consistent yearly testing from 2020 through 2026 shows no significant gaps, suggesting the car has been driven intermittently rather than subjected to high‑kilometre use. Mechanically, this low mileage generally translates to reduced wear on consumables such as brake pads, clutch components and suspension bushings, but it also raises the possibility of age‑related degradation in rubber and metal parts that have spent extended periods idle. The horn failure recorded in 2023 should be verified by pressing the horn button and listening for a clear, consistent tone; any intermittent sound or complete silence may indicate a faulty horn unit, a blown fuse, or corroded wiring at the front of the chassis. The rear position lamp issue, linked to the operation of another lamp, warrants inspection of the rear lamp socket, the associated wiring loom and the relevant fuse or relay, ensuring that connections are free of corrosion and that the lamp filament itself is intact. Given the age of the vehicle, a visual check of the entire lighting harness for cracked insulation or brittle conductors is advisable. Beyond the specific electrical items, a comprehensive road‑test should focus on age‑related symptoms: listen for knocks or creaks over bumps that could reveal deteriorated suspension bushes or worn coil springs; feel for any pedal judder or sponginess that might point to ageing brake lines or master cylinder seals; and observe steering response for any pull to one side, which could indicate worn steering rack bushings or uneven tyre wear. A thorough visual examination of the chassis for surface rust, especially around the subframe and suspension mounting points, will help confirm that the low‑usage history has not concealed hidden corrosion.