2001 Toyota Celica — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 6,439 MOT tests, the 2001 Toyota Celica recorded a 73.9% pass rate. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 22.5% of the time, so this is 3.5pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.0% of tests against 10.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 572 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.2% in the 0-30k band and 28.8% in the 150k+ band, a 19.6-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.3% in 2021 to 25.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 1,031 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.1% | 653 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.4% | 605 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.6% | 552 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.7% | 364 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.3% | 344 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 572 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 559 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 428 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 344 |
| 5 | Wipers | 240 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 207 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 34.4% | 2,215 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.4% | 2,212 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.6% | 1,587 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.0% | 1,095 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.0% | 1,032 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.1% | 911 |
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 | 65 | 9.2% |
| 30-60k | 298 | 14.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,085 | 22.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,708 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,855 | 28.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,427 | 28.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,762 | 27.3% |
| 2022 | 1,462 | 25.4% |
| 2023 | 1,244 | 25.6% |
| 2024 | 1,080 | 25.7% |
| 2025 | 891 | 25.6% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Celica
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.1% 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.
- Brakes (9.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2001 Toyota Celicas pass their MOT?
73.9% of the 6,439 2001 Toyota Celica MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Toyota Celica?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.0% of tests, followed by suspension (10.1%).
Does the 2001 Celica get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.2% in the 0-30k band to 28.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,439 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.