Used car guide

1995 Toyota Celica: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1995 Toyota Celicas, from 188 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 188 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

188MOT tests in 2025
65%pass first time (all 1995 cars: 67%)
4,100typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for braking performance

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1995 Toyota Celicas than on all cars registered in 1995.

  • Braking performance2.4× usual
    Toyota Celica
    17% All 1995 cars
    7.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 10.1%, against 3.7% of all 1995 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

  • Brake discs2.2× usual
    Toyota Celica
    18.1% All 1995 cars
    8.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 0.5% of all 1995 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

By area

The share of 1995 Toyota Celica MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    38% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    25% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Suspension
    25% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Lights and electrics
    23% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    19% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    19% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Toyota Celica?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006882Suspension 39%
20051,208Suspension 44%
20041,264Suspension 45%
20031,118Suspension 47%
2002857Suspension 43%
2001727Suspension 47%
2000342Suspension 47%
1999297Suspension 45%
1998410Suspension 38%
1997272Suspension 35%
1996252Brakes 37%
1994178Suspension 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1995 Toyota Celicas registered in 1995. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score