1997 Caterham Seven 1.6L Petrol · R121 UKV
1997 Caterham Seven (1.6L, petrol). First registered 31 Dec 1997. Recorded mileage 20,721 miles. MOT expired on 06 Jul 2026.
- Make & Model
- CATERHAM SEVEN
- Year / Origin
- 1997 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 06 Jul 2026
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 20,721 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.6L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
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R121 UKV Key Findings
- 3 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 07/07/2025
- 20,721 miles recorded at latest MOT
- No defects recorded at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R121 UKV MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
3 MOT tests are recorded for this 1997 Caterham Seven (R121 UKV) between September 2022 and July 2025.
The record contains 3 passes and 0 failures.
No failures or advisories appear anywhere in the recorded tests, so the documented MOT record is relatively clean.
R121 UKV Mileage History
- 08/09/202218,479 mi
- 16/05/202419,685 mi+1,206 mi
- 07/07/202520,721 mi+1,036 mi
Average of roughly 793 miles per year across 3 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
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Known faults for Caterham Caterham Seven (Rover K-Series)
Our database tracks 5 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
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.
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CATERHAM SEVEN Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1997 model year cars.
- Head Gasket Failure (HGF)Serious
The Rover K-Series engine is prone to head gasket failure due to its small coolant capacity and "sandwich" construction.
- Cooling System DegradationSerious
The K-Series has a very small coolant capacity, making it intolerant of any cooling system weakness. Coolant pipes perish during winter storage, header tank caps fail and fan switches can stick, all leading to rapid overheating.
- Chassis CorrosionSerious
The thin-wall tubular steel chassis can rust quickly if the powder coating is compromised. Corrosion typically starts at welds and joints where moisture and road salt become trapped, and can threaten structural integrity.
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