How much does a 1997 TOYOTA CARINA E 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 E?

The 1997 TOYOTA CARINA E has a 73% MOT pass rate based on 182 tests in 2026. This ranks 189 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year TOYOTA CARINA E is most reliable?

The 1994 TOYOTA CARINA E has the highest MOT pass rate at 76%. The least reliable year is 1997 at 73%.

TOYOTA CARINA E (1997)

Q: Is the 1997 TOYOTA CARINA E reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 73% of TOYOTA CARINA Es from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 182 tests. That's 9 points below the national average of 82%.

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

The average mileage for a 1997 TOYOTA CARINA E is 118,244 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 182 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

73%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1762cc Petrol

Check Carefully

73% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 9 points below average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific TOYOTA CARINA E

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Petrol1762cc29 years old182 tests118k 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.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this TOYOTA CARINA E

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

73% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 9 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the TOYOTA brand average of 84%.

At 29 years old, 73% of TOYOTA CARINA Es from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 182 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 118,244 miles.

Got a TOYOTA CARINA E you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars189th of 320(top 59%)

Rank among TOYOTA models872th of 996(top 88%)

vs national average-9%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average-2%(75% avg)

vs TOYOTA average-11%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

118,244

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 TOYOTA CARINA E has 118,244 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.

Looking at a specific TOYOTA CARINA E?

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 1994 model with a 76% MOT pass rate, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 73%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

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

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

same

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

-2%

NISSAN MICRA

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,722/year

70%

-3%

BMW 3 SERIES

1998 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,017/year

79%

+6%

Check a Specific Toyota Carina e

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 1997 TOYOTA CARINA E

The 1997 TOYOTA CARINA E is a family car with a 1762cc petrol engine. 182 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1997, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 118,244 miles at 29 years old, TOYOTA CARINA E owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 TOYOTA CARINA E 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 E?

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 73% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

TOYOTA CARINA E Reliability Trend

The TOYOTA CARINA E has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 3 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 TOYOTA CARINA E

At 29 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 TOYOTA CARINA E'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 118k 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 E stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
TOYOTA CARINA E(1997)	73%	£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.