How much does a 1998 TOYOTA CELICA 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 1998 TOYOTA CELICA?

The 1998 TOYOTA CELICA has a 71% MOT pass rate based on 1,415 tests in 2026. This ranks 239 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year TOYOTA CELICA is most reliable?

The 2008 TOYOTA CELICA has the highest MOT pass rate at 88%. The least reliable year is 1997 at 68%.

TOYOTA CELICA (1998)

Q: Is the 1998 TOYOTA CELICA reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 71% of TOYOTA CELICAs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 1,415 tests. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1998 TOYOTA CELICA?

The average mileage for a 1998 TOYOTA CELICA is 124,348 miles, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-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 1,415 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1990cc Petrol

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 11 points below average.

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Petrol1990cc28 years old1,415 tests124k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1990cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327

Road Tax

Based on 1990cc

£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

71% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the TOYOTA brand average of 84%.

At 28 years old, 71% of TOYOTA CELICAs from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,415 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 124,348 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars239th of 340(top 70%)

Rank among TOYOTA models920th of 996(top 92%)

vs national average-11%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average-4%(75% avg)

vs TOYOTA average-13%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

124,348

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 TOYOTA CELICA has 124,348 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-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 2008 model with a 88% MOT pass rate, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 68%. The 1998 sits between the two at 71%.

TOYOTA CELICA by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2008	88%	57	119,491 mi
2007	73%	137	131,245 mi
2006	75%	1,775	105,306 mi
2005	73%	2,404	115,012 mi
2004	72%	2,740	116,055 mi
2003	72%	2,488	118,340 mi
2002	74%	1,861	118,564 mi
2001	74%	1,589	119,894 mi
2000	71%	916	117,266 mi
1999	72%	894	121,784 mi
1998	71%	1,415	124,348 mi
1997	68%	1,002	133,345 mi
1996	73%	902	127,103 mi
1995	77%	370	123,514 mi
1994	73%	360	123,787 mi
1993	74%	148	126,173 mi
1992	72%	169	116,058 mi
1991	70%	182	122,842 mi
1990	75%	187	118,452 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER

1996 · 2490cc Petrol

£2,597/year

67%

-4%

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+2%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

same

BMW 3 SERIES

1998 · 1796cc Petrol

£2,017/year

79%

+8%

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About the 1998 TOYOTA CELICA

The 1998 TOYOTA CELICA is a family car with a 1990cc petrol engine. 1,415 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 1998, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 124,348 miles at 28 years old, TOYOTA CELICA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1998 TOYOTA CELICA Fuel Costs

The 1990cc 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 1998 TOYOTA CELICA?

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 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

TOYOTA CELICA Reliability Trend

The TOYOTA CELICA has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1998 TOYOTA CELICA

At 28 years old, the TOYOTA CELICA 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 2008 model has the highest pass rate at 88%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 TOYOTA CELICA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 28 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 124k 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.

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 1998 TOYOTA CELICA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
TOYOTA CELICA(1998)	71%	£1327	£315	Grp 18-32	£2197
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)	67%	£1592	£250	Grp 25-38	£2597+£400
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£370
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017-£180
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.