Toyota Carina E (1994)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 70 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,328

£194/month

MOT Pass Rate

76%

Average

Road Tax

£375

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1587cc Petrol

Check Carefully

76% pass rate, £2,328/year to run. 6 points below average.

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Petrol1587cc32 years old70 tests119k 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

£500

Total per year£2,328

Per month£194/mo

Per week£45/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

76% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Toyota brand average of 84%.

76% of MOT tests on Toyota Carina Es from 1994 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 30 years old. That's based on 70 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 118,848 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1994 models118th of 204(bottom half)

Rank among Toyota models737th of 970(bottom 25%)

vs average of all models-6%(82% avg)

vs 1994 models average+0%(76% avg)

vs Toyota average-8%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

118,848

Average miles

222,000

Expected for age

The average 1994 Toyota Carina E had 118,848 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-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

Mazda MX-5

1996 · 1840cc Petrol

£2,561/year

76%

same

BMW 3 Series

1996 · 1896cc Petrol

£2,411/year

82%

+6%

Volkswagen Golf

1996 · 1984cc Petrol

£2,561/year

74%

-2%

Rover Mini

1993 · 1275cc Petrol

£2,183/year

74%

-2%

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About the 1994 Toyota Carina E

The 1994 Toyota Carina E is a small family car. Our records list a 1587cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 70 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 1994, the average MOT pass rate is 76%, and this model matches that benchmark.

With an average of 118,848 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Toyota Carina E owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1994 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 1994 Toyota Carina E?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,328 (£194/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 76% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 1994 Toyota Carina E

At 32 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 70 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 119k 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 1994 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(1994)	76%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328
Mazda MX-5(1996)	76%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£233
BMW 3 Series(1996)	82%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,411+£83
Volkswagen Golf(1996)	74%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£233
Rover Mini(1993)	74%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183-£145

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 1994 Toyota Carina E

Is the 1994 Toyota Carina E reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 76% of MOT tests on 1994 Toyota Carina Es ended in a pass, from 70 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 6 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1994 Toyota Carina E cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,328 a year (£194 a month): £1,398 fuel, £375 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1994 Toyota Carina E?

76% of 70 MOT tests on the 1994 Toyota Carina E ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 118th of 204 models first registered in 1994 (bottom half).

What is the average mileage for a 1994 Toyota Carina E?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1994 Toyota Carina E is 118,848 miles, which is below the expected 222,000 miles for a 30-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.