Used car guide

2000 Toyota Celica: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2000 Toyota Celicas, from 342 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 342 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

342MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2000 cars: 63%)
4,600typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2000 Toyota Celicas than on all cars registered in 2000.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.1× usual
    Toyota Celica
    17.3% All 2000 cars
    8.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 4.3% of all 2000 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.

  • Coil springs1.9× usual
    Toyota Celica
    16.7% All 2000 cars
    8.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.4% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Sub-frame2.7× usual
    Toyota Celica
    11.4% All 2000 cars
    4.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.2% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Suspension arm2.8× usual
    Toyota Celica
    8.8% All 2000 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.2% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

By area

The share of 2000 Toyota Celica MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    47% 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
    36% 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
    34% 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
    27% 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
    19% 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
    15% 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%
1999297Suspension 45%
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 2000 Toyota Celicas registered in 2000. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score