Caterham Reliability Advice

[Sidney3121]

Having decided to go for Caterham as my next car, I would welcome some general advice on the issue of reliability of models circa 1997 to 1999. There are a few models from these year being advertised on the classifieds. They seem to be well looked after and have covered around 35000 miles. Is that kind of mileage something that could cause reliability issues or is it nothing to be worried about. Whilst carrying out my own research, such high mileage does not seem to be an issue, but advice from members of the forum will be much appreciated.

Thanks

[BertBert]

Higher mileage is unusal in Caterhams, but in itself nothing to be specifically worried about.

There are going to be some specific things on Caterhams of that era, especially if they have used as every day cars through the winter. The chassis had a bad patch in the mid 90s. So you need to be on the look out for powder coating coming off the tubes and corrosion of the ally bodies.

Check the core wear components...gearbox, diff, engine.

BErt

[Noger]

There is an argument that regularly used cars *may* have fewer problems than one that has been festering in a garage for 11 months a year.

As above, powder coating went through a bad patch.

[Eugene7]

Caterhams are really easy to check. I would not be put off by such mileage - I've done loads more than that in my 1984 7 (but then there are not a lot of bits from that date left...)

The areas to check are mainly the body, where the alloy wraps around the chassis tubes, to make sure there is no rot setting in. Especially the lower chassis tubes at the end of the engine bay, just before the rear wings, and the lower back panel.

The alloy acts as a sacrificial anode, so rotting before the steel of the chassis.

Mechanically, check as per any normal car.

[snapper seven]

35,000 miles over say 11-13 years averages at approx 2500-3000 miles a year which sounds good to me. My car is a '94 with 43k on (having done lots of euro touring and actually geting out and enjoying the car!) and although mine is showing a few signs of the ali bubbling in the areas as described by Eugene, it is still fit as a fiddle with no major problems to date or foreseeable.

In many ways the components come from Fords, Vauxhalls and Rovers that were designed to do many more miles under more stressful (heavier) conditions in tin tops so unless the car has been track thrashed solidly and not well looked after I wouldn't worry.

Save for the body and powdercoating points already raised, the only major problem I can think of off hand is the head gasket failures on the K series (I have a 2.0 Vauxhall which is often referred to as bomb proof) and occasional clutch release bearing problems and the odd cracked de Dion tube.

Cheers
SS

[Sidney3121]

Thanks to those with the feedback. I was looking at this particular car which looks in good nick.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2792462.htm

Any thoughts?

[grenpayne]

Certainly sounds and looks like it's worth a visit!

[fatvik]

Hello,

When I was hunting for a car, I popped along to my local Lotus 7 meet and introduced myself. They were very welcoming and helpful.

A couple of the chaps popped along with me to see a car - this was extremely helpful. They spotted issues I would not have known to look for.

Happy hunting.

-FatVik
http://www.lotussevenclub.com/

[EFA]

My Caterham broke down every 200 miles.

[ewenm]

EFA said:

My Caterham broke down every 200 miles.

Not exactly factory-standard though was it?

OP - Mine has done over 110,000 miles now and has been pretty reliable, no less reliable than any other car I've owned. I'm of the school of thought that they do benefit from regular usage - I've had far more problems since it stopped being my daily driver.

[Noger]

EFA said:

My Caterham broke down every 200 miles.

No it didn't

[grenpayne]

EFA said:

My Caterham broke down every 200 miles.

Dodgy fuel gauge?