Does this Caterham look good to you...

[nogginthenog]

I have never owned a Caterham, but am considering it - particularly after a few laps of Silverstone on one recently with the 'Caterham Experience'.

What can the PH collective tell me about this car :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112209361244?_trksid=p20...

should I be concerned that it is a Q-Plate? And why doesn't it's MOT history appear on the DVLA website when I enter the reg No & 'Caterham' as the manufacturer?

Who is is best to approach for insurance quotes ( I'm the wrong side of 50 - or the right side as far as insurance is concerned! ) ?

Thanks, in advance, Noggin.

[nogginthenog]

correction - it does come up on the DVLA site - I must have had fat fingers the 1st time I tried.

[nogginthenog]

Dave J said:

it does look smart in the pics. I would suggest you inspect the chassis for corrosion and mechanical condition before bidding if possible .

Where should I be looking for corrosion on the chassis?

[nogginthenog]

Thanks for all your replies.

I'm thinking I might be better spending a bit more and getting one with a more modern engine / fuel injection etc.

[nogginthenog]

scubadude said:

The chassis (steel) has an aluminium skin riveted directly to the steel with hundreds of rivets, anywhere the two metals touch has the potential to corrode through a bimetallic reaction. Obviously the steel itself can just rust anywhere else :-)

The design of the skin leaves a number of "traps" around the car for water or debris to sit against the chassis, all of these places can then rust or corrode.

Common places to look are-
Along the bottom of the side panels, particularly in the infamous trap between the footwell and the skin.
Just below where the windscreen attaches each side where the bodywork that covers the dashboard bolts down to the chassis.
Everywhere around the rear axle and "basket" that holds the fuel tank and boot.
Under the front there is a "spider" of chassis tubes which people use to jack the car and this often rusts.

On the plus side, the original chassis manufacturer can completely reskin an old car like new if the chassis is in good condition and since its essentially a kit car you can, if all else fails, swap the entire chassis out "relatively" painlessly (compared to a normal car)

Once you get an upclose look (take a torch and mirror) you'll immediately see how the construction influences the possible deterioration the cars can suffer.

Thanks for this - all very good advice. Especially 'do it' , but I keep finding reasons not to. I might go & have a gander. Cheers Noggin.