TOYOTA CARINA (1993)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 205 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£2,157
£180/month
MOT Pass Rate
69%
Below Avg
Road Tax
£265
Based on CC/year
Insurance
Grp 12-25
1587cc Petrol
Proceed With Caution
69% pass rate, £2157/year to run. 13 points below average.
Check a specific TOYOTA CARINA
Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.
Annual Running Costs
~42 mpg
Based on 1587cc
Higher estimate due to low pass rate
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
Get an insurance quote for this TOYOTA CARINA
Compare quotes and find the best deal
Reliability Verdict
Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the TOYOTA brand average of 84%.
At 33 years old, 69% of TOYOTA CARINAs from 1993 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 205 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 114,815 miles.
Got a TOYOTA CARINA you're looking at?
Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.
How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
114,815
Average miles
244,200
Expected for age
The average 1993 TOYOTA CARINA has 114,815 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 244,200 miles for a 33-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.
Looking at a specific TOYOTA CARINA?
Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.
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%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.
TOYOTA CARINA by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
Check a Specific Toyota Carina
Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.
Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.
About the 1993 TOYOTA CARINA
The 1993 TOYOTA CARINA is a small family car with a 1587cc petrol engine. 205 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 78% of 1993 cars for MOT pass rates.
With an average of 114,815 miles at 33 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.
1993 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 1993 TOYOTA CARINA?
Total estimated annual running cost is £2,157 (£180/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.
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 1993 TOYOTA CARINA
At 33 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.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 1993 TOYOTA CARINA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Rust and Corrosion
Watch outAt 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 outRubber 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 outWith an average of 115k 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 riskHigh-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.
Higher Than Average Failure Rate
Watch outWith a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
Service History
Low riskAlways 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 1993 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(1993) | 69% | £1137 | £265 | Grp 12-25 | £2157 |
| VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1991) | 80% | £1327 | £135 | Grp 18-32 | £1867-£290 |
| ROVER MINI(1993) | 74% | £1137 | £30 | Grp 8-20 | £1722-£435 |
| PEUGEOT BOXER(1995) | 68% | £1327 | £135 | Grp 18-32 | £2217+£60 |
| MAZDA MX-5(1995) | 74% | £1327 | £135 | Grp 18-32 | £2017-£140 |
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.
Related Toyota Models
Explore other Toyota cars or similar models in the same category.
TOYOTA YARIS
2013 · 1330cc Petrol
TOYOTA AYGO
2015 · 998cc Petrol
TOYOTA PRIUS
2019 · 1797cc Petrol
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
1991 · 1781cc Petrol
ROVER MINI
1993 · 1275cc Petrol
PEUGEOT BOXER
1995 · 1998cc Petrol
Related Guides
In-depth articles relevant to the Toyota Carina.
Most Reliable Used Cars UK 2026 (Data From 50M Real MOT Tests)
11 min read
Reliability20 Most Reliable Used Cars UK 2026: Real MOT Pass Rate Rankings
10 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Run in 2026: Real Data from 19.8 Million MOT Tests
9 min read
Buying GuideFord Fiesta Common Problems (2026): What to Check Before Buying
13 min read
ReliabilityFord Puma Problems: 7 Issues Owners Report (2026)
13 min read
Check a specific TOYOTA CARINA
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
Premium History Check
Buying a TOYOTA CARINA? Our premium check covers:
- Stolen check (PNC)
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous owners count
Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data