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A16 XFL

1997 Caterham 7

Yellow Petrol 1600cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires10 May 2027
Tests17 (15 pass, 2 fail)
Pass rate88.2%

Mileage

7,314 mi
Last recorded7,314 miles
Recorded on22 Apr 2026
Typical for 1997 Caterham 718,697 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Caterham
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
Keepers
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationA16 XFL
MakeCaterham
Model7
Year1997
ColourYellow
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,600cc

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MOT History

15 pass 2 fail
Pass 22 Apr 2026 7,314 miles

Offside Front Inner Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 24 Apr 2025 7,032 miles

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Fail 23 Apr 2025 7,029 miles

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Pass 11 May 2024 6,801 miles

Offside Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Pass 28 Feb 2023 6,785 miles
Pass 2 Jun 2018 6,722 miles

Offside Front Shock absorbers light misting of oil or has limited damping effect (5.3.2 (b))

Offside Play in steering rack inner joint(s) slight play ()

Pass 20 Aug 2016 6,597 miles
Pass 1 Aug 2015 6,290 miles
Pass 14 Jun 2014 6,079 miles
Pass 6 Jul 2013 5,986 miles
Pass 28 May 2012 5,889 miles
Pass 10 Jun 2011 5,531 miles

exhaust cotton reels getting perished

Pass 23 Jul 2010 5,460 miles
Pass 13 Mar 2009 5,299 miles

exhaust rubbers perished

Fail 10 Mar 2009 5,295 miles

Offside Rear wheel cylinder has restricted free movement (3.5.1k)

exhaust rubbers perished

Pass 29 Mar 2008 5,018 miles
Pass 10 Jun 2006 4,681 miles

o/s/r brake binding (no cat fitted)

How Reliable is the Caterham 7?

Based on 6,444 MOT tests across 473 vehicles.

87.5%
Pass Rate
570
Miles/Year
55
Year Lifespan
473
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Stop lamp not working 71
fog lamp not working 36
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 36
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 36
Steering rack gaiter split 35
Full Caterham 7 reliability report

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A16 XFL is a 1997 Caterham 7 in Yellow with a 1,600cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 17 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 88.2%.

Across all 1997 Caterham 7 models, the average MOT pass rate is 90.0% with a typical mileage of 18,697 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Caterham 7 fails its MOT is stop lamp not working, accounting for 71 recorded failures. If you're considering buying A16 XFL, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Caterham 7 typically stays on UK roads for around 55 years. At 29 years old, this Caterham 7 is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of A16 XFL?

You can check the full history of A16 XFL by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was A16 XFL registered?

A16 XFL is a 1997 Caterham 7, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is A16 XFL safe to buy?

The MOT history for A16 XFL shows 17 tests with a 88.2% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does A16 XFL have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on A16 XFL. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.