Used car guide · 1972–2008

Toyota Celica common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Toyota Celica, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 28,260 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1974 Toyota Celica

Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Toyota Celica as a whole.

18on the UK register at the end of 2025
ProbablyMOT-exempt (40+ years old), unless substantially changed
Petrolfuel type
What to check on a 1974 car
  • Rust and structure

    Look underneath at the sills, floor, chassis rails and jacking points. Rust in the structure costs far more to fix than paint bubbles.

  • MOT-exempt isn’t roadworthy

    Cars over 40 don’t need an MOT, but they must still be safe. A voluntary MOT or a specialist inspection is worth the money.

  • Paperwork

    Old MOT certificates, bills and restoration photos show how it has been looked after. Check the logbook matches the car’s VIN and engine number.

  • Originality

    Changes from standard affect value and insurance. Ask what has been replaced or modified.

  • Insurance

    Classic insurance is often cheaper but may limit mileage and use. Get a quote before you buy.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994199319921991199019891988198719861985198419831982198119801979197819771976197519741972

What usually goes wrong with a Toyota Celica?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Toyota Celica in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Toyota Celica MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    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.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

    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 arm

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

    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 mountings

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998.

    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.

  • Wheels

    up to 4.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1999, 2001 and 2005.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

Toyota Celica MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2006 Toyota Celica did best (63% passed first time, 7 points above all 2006 cars) and the 2005 did worst (60%, 3 points above all 2005 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
200870%57% +13109 (small sample)
200772%57% +15220 (small sample)
200663%56% +72,874
200560%57% +33,999
200459%57% +24,429
200358%57% +13,960
200262%58% +43,068
200161%60% +12,595
200059%61% -21,280
199961%63% -21,008
199861%65% -41,334
199761%65% -4900
199662%66% -4822
199566%67% -1500
199466%67% -1460 (small sample)
199363%68% -5144 (small sample)
199270%69% +1198 (small sample)
199172%71% +1180 (small sample)
199070%72% -2180 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Toyota Celica

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the Toyota Celica as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the Toyota Celica as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the Toyota Celica as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Toyota Celica?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score