At a Glance
The Toyota Celica has 22 identified common problems across 7 generations, with the T230 (1999-2006) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 639K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Toyota Celica common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Toyota Celica generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Toyota Celica Generations
Select a generation to see its specific problems, MOT failures and advisories
A20
Most common MOT failure: Suspension component mounting corroded
A40
Most common MOT failure: Suspension component mounting corroded
A60
Most common MOT failure: Suspension component mounting corroded
T160
Most common MOT failure: Suspension component mounting corroded
T180
Top issue: Steering rack fault
T200
Top issue: Dashboard warning lamp fault
T230
Top issue: Tyre condition
Most Common Toyota Celica MOT Failures
Every reason Toyota Celica vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 8.47% |
| 2 | Number plate lamp not working | 7.70% |
| 3 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 7.57% |
| 4 | Brake performance below minimum | 7.14% |
| 5 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 6.89% |
| 6 | Front lamp not working | 6.20% |
| 7 | Brake disc or drum worn | 3.85% |
| 8 | Exhaust system fault | 3.85% |
| 9 | Stop lamp not working | 3.56% |
| 10 | Driveshaft fault | 3.49% |
| 11 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.45% |
| 12 | Tyre condition | 3.30% |
| 13 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 3.14% |
| 14 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 2.92% |
| 15 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.63% |
| 16 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.22% |
| 17 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.60% |
| 18 | Fog lamp not working | 1.54% |
| 19 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.34% |
| 20 | Parking brake condition | 1.32% |
| 21 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 1.28% |
| 22 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.19% |
| 23 | Position lamp not working | 1.18% |
| 24 | Headlamp fault | 0.87% |
| 25 | ABS fault | 0.82% |
| 26 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.75% |
| 27 | Front suspension fault | 0.69% |
| 28 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.61% |
| 29 | Indicator fault | 0.58% |
| 30 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.52% |
| 31 | Rear lamp not working | 0.47% |
| 32 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.47% |
| 33 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.45% |
| 34 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.42% |
| 35 | Seat belt condition | 0.41% |
| 36 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.40% |
| 37 | Horn not working | 0.39% |
| 38 | Chassis condition | 0.36% |
| 39 | Steering rack fault | 0.31% |
| 40 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.28% |
| 41 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.28% |
| 42 | Track rod end worn | 0.27% |
| 43 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.27% |
| 44 | Brake pedal fault | 0.23% |
| 45 | Rear suspension fault | 0.21% |
| 46 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.21% |
| 47 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.20% |
| 48 | Brake caliper fault | 0.15% |
| 49 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.14% |
| 50 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.14% |
| 51 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.14% |
| 52 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.14% |
| 53 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.13% |
| 54 | Brake fluid leak | 0.13% |
| 55 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.13% |
| 56 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.13% |
| 57 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.13% |
| 58 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.13% |
| 59 | Steering lock fault | 0.12% |
| 60 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.12% |
| 61 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.11% |
| 62 | Airbag warning light on | 0.11% |
| 63 | CV joint worn | 0.10% |
| 64 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.08% |
| 65 | Power steering pump fault | 0.08% |
| 66 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.08% |
| 67 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.08% |
| 68 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.07% |
| 69 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.07% |
| 70 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.06% |
| 71 | Brake lever fault | 0.06% |
| 72 | Electrical switch fault | 0.06% |
| 73 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.06% |
| 74 | Engine oil leak | 0.06% |
| 75 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.06% |
| 76 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.05% |
| 77 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.05% |
| 78 | Body security fault | 0.04% |
| 79 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.04% |
| 80 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.03% |
| 81 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.03% |
| 82 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.03% |
| 83 | Steering operation fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Suspension unit fault | 0.03% |
| 85 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 86 | Steering column fault | 0.03% |
| 87 | Steering free play excessive | 0.03% |
| 88 | Undertray damaged or missing | 0.02% |
| 89 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.02% |
| 90 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.02% |
| 91 | Passenger seat fault | 0.02% |
| 92 | Steering arm worn | 0.02% |
| 93 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 94 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 95 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 96 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 98 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.01% |
| 100 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 101 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 102 | Steering drive system fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Propshaft fault | 0.01% |
| 104 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 105 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 106 | Drag link end worn | <0.01% |
| 107 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 108 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 110 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Bonded suspension condition | <0.01% |
| 112 | Engine mounting worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 113 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 114 | Driver seat fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 117 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 118 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 119 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 120 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 122 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 123 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 125 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 126 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 130 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 133 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 138 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 140 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 141 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 143 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 144 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 145 | Axle corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 146 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 149 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 150 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 151 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 152 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 153 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 158 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 159 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 160 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 161 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 162 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 163 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Load sensing valve fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 169 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 171 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 172 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 173 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 175 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 176 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 178 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 179 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 180 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 181 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 182 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 183 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 183 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Toyota Celica MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Toyota Celica, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Toyota Celica problems?
Based on analysis of 639K Toyota Celica MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 22 identified common problems across 7 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Tyre condition". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Toyota Celica generation has the most problems?
The Toyota Celica T230 (1999-2006) (1999–2006) has the highest number of identified common problems (23). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Toyota Celica?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Toyota Celica owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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