Does the Caterham Seven fail the MOT on lamps, reflectors and electrics more than it should?
The Caterham Seven records 9.20 lamps, reflectors and electrics failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 32.82 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−23.62, 95% interval −24.81 to −22.42). It ranks 714 of 729 models on lamps, reflectors and electrics (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on lamps, reflectors and electrics · check a Caterham Seven by registration
What exactly fails on lamps, reflectors and electrics?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Caterham Seven is “The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements”, recorded 122 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 122 | 1.37 |
| A direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 96 | 1.08 |
| An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 87 | 0.98 |
| Stop lamps all missing or inoperative | 72 | 0.81 |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 45 | 0.51 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 8,876 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Caterham Seven by postcode area · Caterham Seven body, chassis and structure failures · Caterham Seven brakes failures · Caterham Seven vehicle identification failures · Caterham Seven noise, emissions and leaks failures · Caterham Seven steering failures · Caterham Seven suspension failures · Caterham Seven tyres failures · Caterham Seven visibility failures