Used car guide

2003 Toyota Celica: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Toyota Celicas, from 1,118 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,118MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
5,300typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for sub-frame

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Toyota Celicas than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Sub-frame2.4× usual
    Toyota Celica
    13.3% All 2003 cars
    5.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.3% of all 2003 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 arm3.1× usual
    Toyota Celica
    11.2% All 2003 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.3% of all 2003 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.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2× usual
    Toyota Celica
    13.1% All 2003 cars
    6.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 3.2% of all 2003 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)2.3× usual
    Toyota Celica
    7% All 2003 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 2.9% of all 2003 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.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1.9% here, against 8.7% of all 2003 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 2.1% here, against 6.6% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 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
    39% 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
    33% 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
    18% 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?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2006882Suspension 39%
20051,208Suspension 44%
20041,264Suspension 45%
2002857Suspension 43%
2001727Suspension 47%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Toyota Celicas registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score