Used car guide

1997 Toyota Celica: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1997 Toyota Celicas, from 272 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 272 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

272MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 67%)
4,600typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1997 Toyota Celicas than on all cars registered in 1997.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.5× usual
    Toyota Celica
    11.4% All 1997 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.8% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.6× usual
    Toyota Celica
    11% All 1997 cars
    4.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11%, against 4.2% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

By area

The share of 1997 Toyota Celica MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    35% 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.

  • Brakes
    28% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    26% 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
    24% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    22% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    17% 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?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

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%
1996252Brakes 37%
1995188Brakes 38%
1994178Suspension 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1997 Toyota Celicas registered in 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score