Toyota Carina E (1993)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 44 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,528

£211/month

MOT Pass Rate

64%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1587cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

64% pass rate, £2,528/year to run. 18 points below average.

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Petrol1587cc33 years old44 tests121k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1587cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£375

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,528

Per month£211/mo

Per week£49/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

64% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 18 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Toyota brand average of 84%.

64% of MOT tests on Toyota Carina Es from 1993 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 31 years old. That's based on 44 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 121,128 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1993 models170th of 188(bottom 11%)

Rank among Toyota models961st of 970(bottom 2%)

vs average of all models-18%(82% avg)

vs 1993 models average-12%(76% avg)

vs Toyota average-20%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

121,128

Average miles

229,400

Expected for age

The average 1993 Toyota Carina E had 121,128 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 229,400 miles for a 31-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Toyota Carina E by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1997	73%	182	118,244 mi
1996	74%	70	118,694 mi
1994	76%	70	118,848 mi
1993	64%	44	121,128 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Volkswagen Golf

1991 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,411/year

80%

+16%

Rover Mini

1993 · 1275cc Petrol

£2,183/year

74%

+10%

Mazda MX-5

1995 · 1840cc Petrol

£2,561/year

74%

+10%

BMW 3 Series

1991 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,411/year

82%

+18%

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About the 1993 Toyota Carina E

The 1993 Toyota Carina E is a small family car. Our records list a 1587cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 44 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 11% of 1993 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 121,128 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Toyota Carina E owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1993 Toyota Carina E 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 £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1993 Toyota Carina E?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,528 (£211/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 64% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Buying a Used 1993 Toyota Carina E

At 33 years old, the Toyota Carina E 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. Note: with only 44 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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 121k 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.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 64% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 1993 Toyota Carina E stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Toyota Carina E(1993)	64%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,528
Volkswagen Golf(1991)	80%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,411-£117
Rover Mini(1993)	74%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183-£345
Mazda MX-5(1995)	74%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£33
BMW 3 Series(1991)	82%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,411-£117

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 1993 Toyota Carina E

Is the 1993 Toyota Carina E reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 64% of MOT tests on 1993 Toyota Carina Es ended in a pass, from 44 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 18 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1993 Toyota Carina E cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,528 a year (£211 a month): £1,398 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1993 Toyota Carina E?

64% of 44 MOT tests on the 1993 Toyota Carina E ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 170th of 188 models first registered in 1993 (bottom 11%).

What is the average mileage for a 1993 Toyota Carina E?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1993 Toyota Carina E is 121,128 miles, which is below the expected 229,400 miles for a 31-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.