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Toyota Carina T190 (Carina E) (1992-1997) reliability

At a glance

Toyota Carina T190 (Carina E) built before 2000: about average at the MOT

Toyota Carina T190 (Carina E) models built before 2000 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Looking at a Toyota Carina T190 (Carina E) right now?

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Key figure

27% of MOT tests on Toyota Carina T190 (Carina E) models built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 24% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Toyota Carina T190 (Carina E) models built before 2000 involves the brakes.

Toyota Carina T190 (Carina E)
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate1992-1997SaloonPETROL

Based on 538 tests of Carina models registered 1992-1997.

About 1 in 9 Carina T190 (Carina E) MOTs (11.7%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 538 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 9.3% and 14.7%. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 25 Carina T190 (Carina E) MOTs (4.3%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Based on 538 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025), a small sample, so the figure is likely between 2.9% and 6.3%. Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

T190 (Carina E) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
53827.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 25+ years old.

How the Carina T190 (Carina E) compares

At each age below, see how the Carina T190 (Carina E) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 34,903 tests across 20 Toyota models, built before 2000 (over 25 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateToyota average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
53827.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Carina T190 (Carina E).

  1. 1

    Nissan Skyline

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    5.8%
    Dangerous
    2.1%

    Lower fail rate: 10.7%, against 27.0% for the Toyota Carina T190 (Carina E), both built before 2000.

    1,007 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Morris Minor 1000

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.8%
    Dangerous
    4.8%

    Lower fail rate: 18.5%, against 27.0% for the Toyota Carina T190 (Carina E), both built before 2000.

    1,272 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Jaguar XJ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.8%

    Lower fail rate: 21.2%, against 27.0% for the Toyota Carina T190 (Carina E), both built before 2000.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,238 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    BMW 3 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.8%

    Lower fail rate: 22.8%, against 27.0% for the Toyota Carina T190 (Carina E), both built before 2000.

    15 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    17,892 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Recall context

1 recall in all

1 Carina T190 (Carina E) recall covers cars built in these years.

  • 1 recall

Top concerns

  • Possible non-operation of stop lights

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on Carina T190 (Carina E) cars built before 2000

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 4,284 cars.

Structural systems

Emissions
33%
Suspension
32%
Drivetrain
14%
Steering
9%
Bodywork
5%

Wear items

Lighting
46%
Brakes
41%
Tyres
33%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 11% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

T190 (Carina E) variants compared
All generations of this modelNot much data

Most common issues on Toyota Carinas of this age

This list covers every Toyota Carina built before 2000, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the T190 (Carina E) on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    23.1%
    Advisory: 163Fail: 2 (1% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    19.7%
    Advisory: 193Fail: 13 (6% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    16.6%
    Advisory: 132Fail: 26 (16% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    15.1%
    Advisory: 150Fail: 11 (7% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    14.6%
    Advisory: 134Fail: 9 (6% of the times it was found)

Based on 700 tests

Looking at a Toyota Carina T190 (Carina E) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Toyota Carina T190 (Carina E) (1992-1997) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 538 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 538 MOT tests on Toyota Carinas first registered between 1992-1997. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.