Used car guide

1990 Toyota Celica: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Toyota Celica first registered in 1990: we looked at the 180 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 180 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

180MOTs of 1990 cars, done in 2023–2025
70%pass first time (all 1990 cars: 72%)
3,600typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for engine oil leaks

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1990 Toyota Celica?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1990 Toyota Celica than on all cars registered in 1990.

  • Engine oil leaks2.1× usual
    Toyota Celica
    32.2% All 1990 cars
    15.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.4% of all 1990 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Common 1990 Toyota Celica MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1990 Toyota Celica MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    35% 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.

  • Brakes
    31% 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.

  • Suspension
    25% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    17% 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.

  • Tyres
    17% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    16% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1990 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 engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 1990 Toyota Celica as on other cars the same age.)
  2. 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, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Toyota Celica compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2008109Brakes 33%
2007220Suspension 28%
20062,874Brakes 37%
20053,999Brakes 39%
20044,429Suspension 43%
20033,960Suspension 45%
20023,068Suspension 40%
20012,595Suspension 43%
20001,280Suspension 44%
19991,008Suspension 41%
19981,334Brakes 37%
1997900Suspension 37%
1996822Brakes 36%
1995500Brakes 33%
1994460Suspension 30%
1993144Oil and fluid leaks 47%
1992198Oil and fluid leaks 32%
1991180Oil and fluid leaks 35%
1989–Too few tests
1988–Too few tests
1987–Too few tests
1986–Too few tests
1985–Too few tests
1984–Too few tests
1983–Too few tests
1982–Too few tests
1981–Too few tests
1980–Too few tests
1979–Too few tests
1978–Too few tests
1977–Too few tests
1976–Too few tests
1975–Too few tests
1974–Too few tests
1972–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 Celica cars first registered in 1990. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score