Toyota Celica MOT pass rate and common problems
68.2% of 15,949 Toyota Celica MOT tests pass.
The Celica passes 68.2% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Toyota models (82.3%).
The Toyota Celica passes 68.2% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Toyota Celica?
This is the average across every Toyota Celica in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Toyota’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 85.7% at 10–15 years to 68.1% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (12) | 12 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (21) | 21 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 85.7% | 49 | 108,915 miles |
| 15+ years | 68.1% | 15,867 | 117,493 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Toyota Celica
The most common reason the Toyota Celica fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 64.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 64.1% | Not working |
| Brakes | 50.9% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Suspension | 41.6% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 38.1% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Body, chassis, structure | 25.2% | Has a major leak of exhaust gases |
| Tyres | 15.7% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 13.2% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 5.0% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Steering | 3.1% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Road Wheels | 2.1% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Toyota Celica: what to check
These checks follow the Toyota Celica’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Toyota Celica comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 85.7% to 68.1%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 84.4% down to 74.3%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 64.1% of failed Toyota Celica MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 50.9% of failed Toyota Celica MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 41.6% of failed Toyota Celica MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 38.1% of failed Toyota Celica MOTs. 14.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 6.1% at 10–15 years.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 25.2% of failed Toyota Celica MOTs. 9.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 4.1% at 10–15 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Toyota service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Toyota models
- Toyota Alphard — 82.4% pass rate
- Toyota MR2 — 72.3% pass rate
- Toyota Proace — 79.5% pass rate
- Toyota GT86 — 88.8% pass rate
- Toyota Starlet — 71.7% pass rate
- Toyota Previa — 66.3% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Toyota Celica?
- 68.2% of Toyota Celica MOT tests pass, based on 15,949 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Toyota Celica?
- The most common reason the Toyota Celica fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 64.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Toyota Celica?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Toyota Celica are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Toyota Celica?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; exhaust, emissions and leaks; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Toyota Celica's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Toyota service history guide for how to check and keep one.