2004 · 20 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2004 Toyota Celica MOT pass rate and common faults

1,351 MOT tests in 2024. 58.9% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time58.9%
Failed or needed repairs41.1%
Typical mileage at test116,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,351 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.3%
  2. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits4.4%
  3. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength4.1%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.8%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.7%
  6. Service brake imbalance: across an axle2.7%
  7. Position lamp: not working2.6%
  8. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.5%
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
    47 marked dangerous
  10. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.2%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics28.0%
  2. Brakes22.6%
  3. Suspension20.1%
  4. Emissions & leaks15.1%
  5. Body & chassis9.1%
  6. Tyres7.1%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.1%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded14.7%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.3%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.7%
  4. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened10.7%
  5. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened10.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2003 CelicaAll Celica years2005 Celica →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Toyota Celica?

In 2024, 58.9% of 2004 Toyota Celica cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,351 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Toyota Celica?

The most common failure reasons were headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits; component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Toyota Celica reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).