What form can I buy a Caterham in?

There are 3 ways to buy a new Caterham:

Complete Kit (CKD): The most popular way to buy a Caterham is as a complete knock-down kit, or ‘CKD’ for self-assembly. You will be supplied with a kit of all-new parts to build your car including chassis and engine. No donor car or recycled parts are required, unlike most ‘kit cars’. All you need to supply to get running are tools, time and fuel!

Fully built: Caterham can factory build your car for an additional £3000 on top of the kit price. This is a complete turnkey solution which gives you a factory finished, registered car to drive away. All CSR models are fully built as standard.

Starter Kit: Starter Kits allow you to purchase a Caterham kit in modules, allowing you to spread the cost and build the car to your own unique specification. The basic starter kit includes the chassis, and you are then free to choose different modules as and when required.

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I live outside the UK, can I purchase a Caterham?

We have a global network of distributors who can arrange exports to the EU, Japan, USA, Australia and many other countries. Different regulations and taxes across territories mean that the specification and price of the product in your country may differ from the UK. Please contact your nearest dealer for more information, or the Caterham Export department.

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How do I order and what is the delivery time and cost?

In the UK, you can order via either of our UK showrooms. Ordering is simple, requiring completion of an order form and payment of a refundable �2000 deposit. After the initial acknowledgement, we will confirm the order, and request a second deposit approximately 12 weeks prior to the build date of the car. The balance will be required on or before delivery. Your car can be delivered anywhere in the UK at a competitive rate. Please enquire (sales@caterham.co.uk) for accurate delivery schedules and prices.

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How long will it take to build my 7? Is it difficult?

Building a 7 is straightforward and, providing you have some basic mechanical knowledge, requires no special skills. The time taken to complete the car depends on many factors such as specification chosen and the space available to unpack the parts, but 70 to 90 man-hours is typical.

The chassis is supplied fully panelled and with safety critical items pre-installed at the factory, such as brake lines, loom, seatbelt mountings and instruments. A build manual is provided and help is available on the phone from our aftersales team.

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What engine options are available?

Current engine options include the Ford Sigma 1.6, the Caterham Powertrain (CPT) 2.0 Duratec and Cosworth 2.3 Duratec. Outputs range from 125bhp to 260bhp. (The Classic is offered with the 105bhp 1.4 K-Series while stocks last).

Roadsport and Superlight models use the Ford Sigma 1.6 in either 125bhp or 150bhp. The Superlight R400 uses a CPT 2 litre with 210bhp, whilst the Superlight R500 uses a highly modified version of the same engine, producing 263bhp. CSR models use either the 200bhp or 260bhp 2.3 litre Duratec tuned by Cosworth.

Export models use variants of both the 1.6 Sigma and 2.3 Duratec which comply with EU4 emissions regulations. Please contact our export department for more information.

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Will I fit in a Caterham?

The Seven was designed in the 1950’s when the average size of an adult male was somewhat less than today. However, a standard car can accommodate drivers upto 6’3” by adjusting the pedal positions and using composite, rather than padded leather, seats. Additionally, a lowered driver’s floor can be added at the point of ordering (price on application). This drops the seat around 1 inch lower beneath the car and enables taller drivers to look through, rather than over, the windscreen.

The SV chassis can accommodate driver’s upto 6’ 7” depending on specification.

The Caterham Sales team understand the importance of driver comfort and will help you chose the specification suited to your stature.

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What does the SV offer over a standard car?

The SV or ‘wide body’ option on Roadsport and Superlight cars gives you a longer, wider and taller vehicle. While the extra size is not immediately obvious from the exterior, the increased interior space allows our larger customers to get comfortable in the Seven, and also provides a larger boot space and larger fuel tank, making it a more practical option. SV cars also get wide-track suspension as standard and weight around 25kgs more than a standard car.

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What are the benefits of a 6-speed gearbox over a 5-speed?

The 5-speed gearbox, with its overdrive 5th gear, is more suited to touring as the car cruises at motorway speeds at a lower engine RPM.

The 6-speed gearbox was designed specially for Caterham and is a close ratio gearbox, ideal for fast road and track use. It is highly regarded for its precise action that allows the driver to swap gears extremely quickly when pressing on.
The 6-speed has a direct drive (1:1) 6th gear, and as a result is slightly louder at motorway speeds due to higher engine RPM.

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Can my car be registered with a current number plate?

As long as your car is bought either in a ‘Complete Kit’ or ‘Fully Built’ form, the vehicle will be eligible for a current prefix. Starter Kits will be eligible for a current registration providing only new parts are used.

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Are Caterhams easy to register?

For fully built cars, all the work is done for you and you simply purchase road tax before collection.

For complete kits and starter kits, an SVA inspection must be carried out before registration. SVA is an extensive ‘super-MOT’ that tests many areas of roadworthiness and safety. Caterhams have an excellent safety record and, providing the car has been built to a reasonable standard, will pass the SVA test. Caterham are very experienced at putting cars through SVA and offer a ‘pre-SVA check’ service to customers, which we recommend to avoid an expensive re-test.

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Can you arrange finance?

Yes. We have a variety of cost effective options for you to consider.

Whether you utilise Caterham Finance to fund your car purchase, or just to obtain friendly advice, our team are here to help you. All offers are subject to status and further details are available from our finance advisors:

Caterham Finance - Tel: 01753 889887 Email: antony@tfpgroup.co.uk

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Are Caterhams expensive to insure?

No, most customers are pleasantly surprised when they receive their quotes. For the performance offered Caterham’s have relatively low premiums, subject as always to the status and history of the driver. We have a bespoke scheme specifically for Caterhams which enables us to be very competitive.

Caterham Insurance are on hand to do their utmost to ensure you receive quality insurance at a competitive rate. Whether you require road cover, track day cover or full race insurance, our advisors can help.

Cover is only a phone call away. Please call 0844 892 1966 for your quotation.

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Can I have a test drive?

By prior appointment with our sales staff, we will be happy to take customers for an accompanied test drive in certain models. Except in special circumstances, only drivers over the age of 25 may take a test drive, although it is possible to ride as a passenger.

Please note that test drives are taken at the discretion of the sales manager, and the safety of our customers and our staff is our priority. If you want more time behind the wheel before purchasing, we offer the following services:

Hire a 7: Hire cars are available from both showrooms, and we will refund one day’s hire should you purchase a car. Driver aged 25 and over only.

Caterham Drive Experience: We offer a variety of driving experiences on and off the track where you can learn to explore the limits of a 7 in a safe environment. Open to drivers with a full driving licence over 17 years old.

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Where can my car be serviced?

Caterham have a network of Service agents who can look after your car for you. Please refer to Contact Us section of this website.

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How can I obtain spares for my car?

All parts for all Caterhams are available directly from our parts department, either by calling in person or by mail order. Many common parts can be ordered online. Alternatively, our service centres will carry a limited number of the more common parts for your Seven.

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Does the car come with a Warranty?

All fully built new cars come with a 12 month, or 6000 mile, parts and labour warranty (whichever occurs first.) For kit built cars, the warranty applies to parts only unless you upgrade to ‘Kit Labour Warranty’ as a cost option. Terms and conditions apply, please contact us for details.


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Can Caterham provide driver training?

With a Caterham’s awesome power to weight ratio, advanced driver training is strongly advised. As well as our Caterham Motorsport Club driving experience days, Caterham can arrange on road driving instruction for you via Cadence Driver Development. (see www.cadence.co.uk)

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Is there an owners’ club?

The Lotus Seven Club cater for all Lotus and Caterham Seven owners and enthusiasts. They produce the monthly ‘Low Flying’ magazine and arrange events for all owners. See www.lotus7club.co.uk

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How well will my Caterham hold its value?

Caterham Sevens traditionally have exceptionally strong residual values, even by the standards of many mainstream prestige car manufacturers. This is because a Seven is a high quality product that will last, and also because Caterham Cars has a strict policy on not offering discounts. This stabilizes the used car market and ensures all our cars retain their optimum value.

Whilst many lower quality replica manufacturers position themselves in the market with a cheaper initial price, customers should be aware that Caterhams do not suffer from the poor residuals of most kit cars. Often Caterham ownership is more cost effective than some of the ‘cheaper’ options!

Strong residuals also make our finance options particularly competitive.

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Are Caterhams safe?

The Caterham Seven has been developed with a wealth of experience from 20 years of Caterham Motorsport. All cars are fitted with aluminium honeycomb side impact protection, roll over protection and EU approved passive restraint seatbelts which help the car maintain its excellent safety record.

The agility and braking ability of the car also enable it to avoid dangerous situations better than a larger, heavier car. We strongly recommend that drivers without experience of high performance cars undertake additional training for added safety.

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Can I use my Caterham on track?

Absolutely. All Caterham Sevens are suitable for use on the track and give great performance straight ‘out of the box.’ However we advise that cars used regularly on track are equipped with additional safety equipment such as fire extinguisher, uprated FIA roll bar and 4-point harnesses. The minimum level of equipment required depends on your track day organiser.

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