2003 Toyota Celica — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2003 Toyota Celica passed 71.4% of its 9,983 recorded MOT tests. That is 6.0 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 22.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests against 12.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and component mounting prescribed areas — headlamp aim alone was recorded 881 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.2% in the 0-30k band and 32.7% in the 150k+ band, a 23.5-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.9% | 1,587 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.6% | 1,256 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.4% | 1,138 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.1% | 906 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 708 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.9% | 488 |
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 | 881 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 819 |
| 3 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 695 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 538 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 480 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 414 |
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 | 34.6% | 3,450 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.3% | 3,326 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.5% | 2,344 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.3% | 1,726 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 1,634 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.2% | 1,418 |
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 | 552 | 18.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,695 | 25.1% |
| 90-120k | 2,974 | 29.0% |
| 120-150k | 2,702 | 29.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,984 | 32.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,732 | 29.4% |
| 2022 | 2,303 | 28.3% |
| 2023 | 1,957 | 28.6% |
| 2024 | 1,602 | 27.7% |
| 2025 | 1,389 | 28.5% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Celica
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.6% 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 (11.4% 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 2003 Toyota Celicas pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 9,983 2003 Toyota Celica MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Toyota Celica?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.9% of tests, followed by suspension (12.6%).
Does the 2003 Celica get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.2% in the 0-30k band to 32.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 9,983 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.