2000 Toyota Celica — MOT failures & pass rate
3,246 MOT tests on the 2000 Toyota Celica are in this dataset, and 71.7% of them passed. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 22.4% of the time, so this is 5.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.4% of all tests — 5.3 points clear of emissions & environmental, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and headlamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 438 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.9% versus 8.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 35.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 534 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 11.2% | 363 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.7% | 348 |
| 4 | Brakes | 10.4% | 337 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.7% | 218 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.2% | 169 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 438 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 281 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 202 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 177 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 151 |
| 6 | Wipers | 122 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 35.2% | 1,143 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.2% | 1,142 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.3% | 787 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.7% | 542 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 462 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.6% | 442 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 46 | 8.7% |
| 30-60k | 184 | 14.7% |
| 60-90k | 572 | 21.3% |
| 90-120k | 904 | 29.4% |
| 120-150k | 810 | 32.0% |
| 150k+ | 729 | 32.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 868 | 27.3% |
| 2022 | 785 | 28.9% |
| 2023 | 655 | 29.8% |
| 2024 | 519 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 419 | 27.9% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Celica
On a 2000 Celica, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (11.2% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Suspension (10.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2000 Toyota Celicas pass their MOT?
71.7% of the 3,246 2000 Toyota Celica MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Toyota Celica?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (11.2%).
Does the 2000 Celica get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.7% in the 0-30k band to 32.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,246 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.