How much does a 1990 TOYOTA CARINA cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,807 (£151/month), including £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1990 TOYOTA CARINA?

The 1990 TOYOTA CARINA has a 82% MOT pass rate based on 90 tests in 2026. This ranks 82 out of 190 cars from 1990.

Which year TOYOTA CARINA is most reliable?

The 1995 TOYOTA CARINA has the highest MOT pass rate at 82%. The least reliable year is 1993 at 69%.

TOYOTA CARINA (1990)

Q: Is the 1990 TOYOTA CARINA reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 82% of TOYOTA CARINAs from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 90 tests. That's 0 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1990 TOYOTA CARINA?

The average mileage for a 1990 TOYOTA CARINA is 119,706 miles, which is significantly below the expected 266,400 miles for a 36-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 90 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,807

£151/month

MOT Pass Rate

82%

Good

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 12-25

1587cc Petrol

Solid Option

82% pass rate, £1807/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1587cc36 years old90 tests120k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1587cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1587cc

£265

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,807

Per month£151/mo

Per week£35/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

82% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 36 years old, 82% of TOYOTA CARINAs from 1990 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 90 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 119,706 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1990 cars82th of 190(top 43%)

Rank among TOYOTA models564th of 996(top 57%)

vs national average+0%(82% avg)

vs 1990 cars average+3%(79% avg)

vs TOYOTA average-2%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

119,706

Average miles

266,400

Expected for age

The average 1990 TOYOTA CARINA has 119,706 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 266,400 miles for a 36-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1995 model with a 82% MOT pass rate, while the 1993 model has the lowest at 69%. The 1990 sits between the two at 82%.

TOYOTA CARINA by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1997	70%	370	112,031 mi
1996	71%	267	107,038 mi
1995	82%	176	102,196 mi
1994	71%	191	117,839 mi
1993	69%	205	114,815 mi
1992	82%	111	121,639 mi
1991	74%	174	114,963 mi
1990	82%	90	119,706 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£1,867/year

80%

-2%

BMW 3 SERIES

1990 · 1990cc Petrol

£1,867/year

84%

+2%

ROVER MINI

1991 · 1275cc Petrol

£1,572/year

80%

-2%

FORD ESCORT

1990 · 1597cc Petrol

£1,677/year

85%

+3%

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About the 1990 TOYOTA CARINA

The 1990 TOYOTA CARINA is a small family car with a 1587cc petrol engine. 90 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1990, the average MOT pass rate is 79%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 119,706 miles at 36 years old, TOYOTA CARINA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1990 TOYOTA CARINA Fuel Costs

The 1587cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1990 TOYOTA CARINA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,807 (£151/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 82% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

TOYOTA CARINA Reliability Trend

Older TOYOTA CARINAs tend to have better MOT pass rates than newer ones, with an average decline of 3 percentage points across model years.

Buying a Used 1990 TOYOTA CARINA

At 36 years old, the TOYOTA CARINA is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 1995 model has the highest pass rate at 82%. Note: with only 90 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1990 TOYOTA CARINA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 120k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1990 TOYOTA CARINA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
TOYOTA CARINA(1990)	82%	£1137	£265	Grp 12-25	£1807
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991)	80%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867+£60
BMW 3 SERIES(1990)	84%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£1867+£60
ROVER MINI(1991)	80%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1572-£235
FORD ESCORT(1990)	85%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£130

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.