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Toyota Celica reliability by build year

Coverage 1999-20061 named generationCoupePETROL
At a glance

Toyota Celica built before 2000: fails its MOT more often than average

Toyota Celicas built before 2000 fail their MOT more often than similar cars the same age. Look closely at the suspension on any car you view. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Toyota Celica by number plate

Key figure

29% of MOT tests on Toyota Celicas built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 19% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Toyota Celicas built before 2000 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Toyota Celica's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Independent inspection

High priority

Have an independent specialist inspect the car before you commit.

Suspension

Worth checking

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

Leaks

Worth checking

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

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension 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.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Celica's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Celica T230 (7th gen)

T230 (7th gen) (1999-2006)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROL

29.4% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 2,769 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Toyota Celica.

See every build year for the Toyota Celica

By age

Toyota Celica fail rate by age

This chart combines every Toyota Celica ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
5121.6%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
49726.4%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
1,33629.9%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,56030.1%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,60532.1%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,37932.0%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,07429.9%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
71229.9%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
2,76929.4%

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 21 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Toyota Celicas

These issues come from 25+ year old Toyota Celicas, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

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

    20.3%
    Advisory: 587Fail: 10 (2% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    12.5%
    Advisory: 642Fail: 14 (2% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    12.3%
    Advisory: 462Fail: 7 (1% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    11.5%
    Advisory: 451Fail: 26 (5% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    11.4%
    Advisory: 413Fail: 49 (11% of the times it was found)

Based on 2,769 MOT tests on 25+ year old Toyota Celicas, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Toyota Celicas notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Suspension33%
  2. Body & structure + Suspension27%
  3. Body & structure + Brakes23%
  4. Fuel & oil + Suspension20%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 1,632 MOT tests on Toyota Celica cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Toyota Celica.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

3 recalls in all

All 3 Toyota Celica recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 2 more

Top concerns

  • Takata airbag inflator may rupture on deployment
  • Brake fluid may leak
  • Possible fuel spillage when petrol cap is opened

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

Like-for-like

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes to compare

  1. 1

    Jaguar E-Type

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.1%
    Dangerous
    1.8%

    Lower fail rate: 8.8%, against 29.4% for the Toyota Celica, both built before 2000.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 13.1%, against 29.4% for the Toyota Celica, both built before 2000.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    10,428 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    Jaguar XJS

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.8%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 18.0%, against 29.4% for the Toyota Celica, both built before 2000.

    3,539 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Porsche 944

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    19%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.7%
    Dangerous
    2.8%

    Lower fail rate: 19.0%, against 29.4% for the Toyota Celica, both built before 2000.

    2,477 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.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Toyota Celica across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 2,769 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Toyota Celica ever sold: 10,983 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 2,769 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.