Used car guide

1997 Toyota Carina: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Toyota Carina first registered in 1997: we looked at the 303 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 303 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

303MOTs of 1997 cars, done in 2023–2025
61%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 65%)
3,800typical miles a year
2.9×the usual rate for exhaust emissions (catalyst)

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1997 Toyota Carina?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1997 Toyota Carina than on all cars registered in 1997.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.9× usual
    Toyota Carina
    13.2% All 1997 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 12.9%, against 4.4% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
    Toyota Carina
    12.2% All 1997 cars
    4.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.9% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

Common 1997 Toyota Carina MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1997 Toyota Carina MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    41% 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.

  • Brakes
    38% 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.

  • Tyres
    25% 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 emissions
    25% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    24% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    16% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1997 Toyota Carina

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 2.9× as often on the 1997 Toyota Carina as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 1997 Toyota Carina as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Toyota Carina?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Toyota Carina compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2019–Too few tests
2009–Too few tests
2008–Too few tests
1998–Too few tests
1996254Suspension 50%
1995183Suspension 40%
1994218Brakes 40%
1993158Suspension 36%
1992111Suspension 41%
1991164Suspension 39%
1990–Too few tests
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Toyota Carina cars first registered in 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score