Used car guide

1999 Toyota Celica: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1999 Toyota Celicas, from 297 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 297 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

297MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 1999 cars: 65%)
4,700typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1999 Toyota Celicas than on all cars registered in 1999.

  • Brake discs2× usual
    Toyota Celica
    20.9% All 1999 cars
    10.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 0.6% of all 1999 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2× usual
    Toyota Celica
    16.2% All 1999 cars
    8.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 4.3% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.6× usual
    Toyota Celica
    11.8% All 1999 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.1%, against 4.4% of all 1999 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 1999 Toyota Celica MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    45% 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
    40% 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
    29% 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
    22% 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
    21% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    14% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

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%
1998410Suspension 38%
1997272Suspension 35%
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 1999 Toyota Celicas registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score