How much does a 1997 TOYOTA CARINA cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), including £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 TOYOTA CARINA?

The 1997 TOYOTA CARINA has a 70% MOT pass rate based on 370 tests in 2026. This ranks 242 out of 320 cars from 1997.

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 (1997)

Q: Is the 1997 TOYOTA CARINA reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 70% of TOYOTA CARINAs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 370 tests. That's 12 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 TOYOTA CARINA?

The average mileage for a 1997 TOYOTA CARINA is 112,031 miles, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 370 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

70%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1762cc Petrol

Check Carefully

70% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 12 points below average.

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Petrol1762cc29 years old370 tests112k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1762cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1762cc

£315

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,197

Per month£183/mo

Per week£42/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

70% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 12 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the TOYOTA brand average of 84%.

At 29 years old, 70% of TOYOTA CARINAs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 370 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 112,031 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars242th of 320(top 76%)

Rank among TOYOTA models945th of 996(top 95%)

vs national average-12%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average-5%(75% avg)

vs TOYOTA average-14%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

112,031

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 TOYOTA CARINA has 112,031 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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 1997 sits between the two at 70%.

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

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+3%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

+1%

NISSAN MICRA

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,722/year

70%

same

BMW 3 SERIES

1998 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,017/year

79%

+9%

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About the 1997 TOYOTA CARINA

The 1997 TOYOTA CARINA is a family car with a 1762cc petrol engine. 370 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 76% of 1997 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 112,031 miles at 29 years old, TOYOTA CARINA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 TOYOTA CARINA Fuel Costs

The 1762cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 TOYOTA CARINA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,197 (£183/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 70% 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 1997 TOYOTA CARINA

At 29 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%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 TOYOTA CARINA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 29 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

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 112k 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 1997 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(1997)	70%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2197
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£370
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180
NISSAN MICRA(1999)	70%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£475
BMW 3 SERIES(1998)	79%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180

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.