2008 Toyota Celica — MOT failures & pass rate
260 MOT tests on the 2008 Toyota Celica are in this dataset, and 78.1% of them passed. That is 1.1 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 20.9%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, emissions & environmental and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.7%) and emissions & environmental (11.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, wipers and headlamp — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 48 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 60-90k one: 28.4% versus 24.2%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 29.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 23.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 32.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.7% | 33 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 11.5% | 30 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.5% | 17 |
| 4 | Visibility | 6.2% | 16 |
| 5 | Suspension | 5.8% | 15 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.4% | 14 |
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 | 48 |
| 2 | Wipers | 18 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 16 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 13 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 10 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 9 |
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 | 29.6% | 77 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.7% | 59 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 19.2% | 50 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.2% | 50 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.6% | 38 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.3% | 32 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 33 | 24.2% |
| 90-120k | 67 | 10.4% |
| 120-150k | 65 | 23.1% |
| 150k+ | 74 | 28.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 72 | 23.6% |
| 2022 | 61 | 24.6% |
| 2023 | 58 | 17.2% |
| 2024 | 35 | 11.4% |
| 2025 | 34 | 32.4% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Celica
On a 2008 Celica, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (11.5% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
- Brakes (6.5% 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 2008 Toyota Celicas pass their MOT?
78.1% of the 260 2008 Toyota Celica MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Toyota Celica?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.7% of tests, followed by emissions & environmental (11.5%).
Does the 2008 Celica get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 24.2% in the 60-90k band to 28.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 260 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.