2002 Toyota Celica · 3,683 MOT tests
2002 Toyota Celica reliability
2002 Toyota Celicas fail 38.5% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 9 Celica years (3,683 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Toyota Celicas: 39.4%)
- 38.5%
- first-time fail rate (all Toyota Celicas: 39.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 12% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- 115,997
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 3,683
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2002 against the years either side
- 2001 cars: 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does better)
- 2003 cars: 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2002 car does better)
- Weak spot: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 9.9% of tests fail here (26% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 38% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2002 car carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
Common problems
What fails on a 2002 Toyota Celica
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics20%
- Suspension12.3%
- Brakes11.3%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks9.9%
- Body, chassis and structure7.2%
- Tyres6.4%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 5.24%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 4.26%
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
Position lamp not working 4.15%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 3.64%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Exhaust has major gas leak 3.2%
A major exhaust leak can let poisonous gas into the car and is illegal, so it must be repaired before driving.
Stop lamp not working 2.85%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Common advisories
Engine oil leak, not excessive (12.46%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (11.51%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (11.4%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.27%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.98%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (7.85%)
Other years
Every Toyota Celica year
The full picture: Toyota Celica reliability. Before you pay for any Toyota Celica, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2002 Toyota Celica reliable?
2002 Toyota Celicas fail 38.5% of first MOT tests, 12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 9 Celica years (3,683 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2002 Toyota Celica MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (5.24% of tests), suspension mounting area seriously corroded (4.26% of tests), position lamp not working (4.15% of tests).
How many miles should a 2002 Toyota Celica have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2002 Toyota Celica shows 115,997 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2002 car?
A car first registered in 2002 carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
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