2005 Toyota Celica: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Toyota Celicas, from 1,208 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Toyota Celicas than on all cars registered in 2005.
- Suspension arm2.6× usualToyota Celica10.8% All 2005 cars4.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.4% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
- Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.6× usualToyota Celica5.9% All 2005 cars2.3%
Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 2.2% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.
- Wheels2.6× usualToyota Celica4.4% All 2005 cars1.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 1%, against 0.5% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £70–£150 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Corroded fuel pipes4.3× usualToyota Celica3% All 2005 cars0.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
- Brakes pulling to one side2.4× usualToyota Celica3.8% All 2005 cars1.6%
Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.1% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£350 our estimateAt the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.
Suspension arm bushes and joints: 2.3% here, against 10.7% of all 2005 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 1.7% here, against 7.3% of all 2005 cars.
By area
The share of 2005 Toyota Celica MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension44% 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.
- Brakes37% 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 electrics32% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres27% 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 emissions16% 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 bodywork13% 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.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 882 | Suspension 39% |
| 2004 | 1,264 | Suspension 45% |
| 2003 | 1,118 | Suspension 47% |
| 2002 | 857 | Suspension 43% |
| 2001 | 727 | Suspension 47% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Toyota Celicas registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score