2005 Caterham Seven 2.3L Petrol · R28 CSR

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but exhibits a worsening trend regarding front-end steering and suspension components. While the car passed the May 2025 test at 36,824 miles, it followed a failure just one week prior. The tester recorded advisories for play in the offside front wheel bearing and steering rack inner joints, which were previously flagged as failure points in the April test. This indicates that while some repairs were addressed, the steering assembly is currently reaching the end of its optimal service life. The mileage profile reflects exceptionally low usage for a 21-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 1,750 miles per year. There is a significant gap in records between July 2021 and June 2023, where the car covered only 213 miles over two years. Such long periods of inactivity often mask mechanical wear on the drivetrain and engine, though they increase the risk of rubber component degradation and brake seizing due to standing. The recent increase in mileage between April and 2025 suggests the vehicle has recently been put into more frequent regular use. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension geometry to verify the extent of the steering rack joint wear. The recurring nature of the offside front wheel bearing advisory suggests a component replacement may not have been performed or that the part is failing rapidly. Given the previous failure of the nearside rear lower suspension arm bush in 2025, the entire set of rubber bushings and ball joints should be checked for cracking or perished material, as these are common on low-mileage vehicles that sit for extended periods.