2016 Caterham Seven

The Seven 420R sits at a compelling point in Caterham's range — potent enough to demand respect, yet light enough at around 500 kg to make the 2.0-litre Ford Duratec's 210 bhp feel genuinely explosive. The '420' in the name is the power-to-weight ratio in bhp per tonne, a figure most road cars never approach. The S3 (narrow) chassis spec stays closest to the original Lotus Seven blueprint — sharper and more alert than the wider SV option, and the choice of those who prioritise driver engagement over marginal comfort gains.

What makes this particular car stand out is its 2,136 miles from new over ten years. That kind of restraint from a previous owner — presumably garage-kept and used selectively — leaves the car in essentially-new mechanical condition. A low-mileage 420R with this sort of provenance, sold through an official Caterham franchise, is an increasingly rare find in the used market.

At £30,000 through Caterham Silverstone, this represents a credible entry point into a properly fast, track-capable sports car that has barely depreciated and shows little sign of doing so.