2004 Toyota Celica — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 10,925 MOT tests, the 2004 Toyota Celica recorded a 72.3% pass rate. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (22.4% fail rate), the 2004 Celica comes out 5.3pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 15.8% of all tests — 3.3 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and coil spring — headlamp aim alone was recorded 967 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 11.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 31.6% once past 150k — 2.7× the risk.
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 | 15.8% | 1,726 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.5% | 1,361 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.6% | 1,272 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.0% | 869 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.6% | 721 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.4% | 594 |
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 | 967 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 717 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 557 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 552 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 540 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 523 |
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% | 3,845 |
| 2 | Suspension | 32.9% | 3,589 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.3% | 2,658 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.2% | 1,770 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 1,606 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.4% | 1,138 |
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 | 84 | 11.9% |
| 30-60k | 657 | 19.2% |
| 60-90k | 2,098 | 23.4% |
| 90-120k | 3,372 | 28.3% |
| 120-150k | 2,995 | 30.0% |
| 150k+ | 1,708 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,849 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 2,534 | 27.9% |
| 2023 | 2,130 | 27.0% |
| 2024 | 1,824 | 27.0% |
| 2025 | 1,588 | 28.9% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Celica
On a 2004 Celica, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 15.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (15.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.5% 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 (11.6% 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 2004 Toyota Celicas pass their MOT?
72.3% of the 10,925 2004 Toyota Celica MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Toyota Celica?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.8% of tests, followed by suspension (12.5%).
Does the 2004 Celica get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.9% in the 0-30k band to 31.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 10,925 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.