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TOYOTA CELICA (2008)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 57 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,047

£171/month

MOT Pass Rate

88%

Good

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1997cc Petrol

Solid Option

88% pass rate, £2047/year to run. 6 points above average.

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Petrol1997cc18 years old57 tests119k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1997cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1997cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£2,047
Per month£171/mo
Per week£39/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

88% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the TOYOTA brand average of 84%.

At 18 years old, 88% of TOYOTA CELICAs from 2008 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 57 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 119,491 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 cars78th of 589(top 13%)
Rank among TOYOTA models407th of 996(top 41%)
vs national average+6%(82% avg)
vs 2008 cars average+15%(73% avg)
vs TOYOTA average+4%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

119,491

Average miles

vs

133,200

Expected for age

The average 2008 TOYOTA CELICA has 119,491 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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TOYOTA CELICA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200888%57119,491 mi
200773%137131,245 mi
200675%1,775105,306 mi
200573%2,404115,012 mi
200472%2,740116,055 mi
200372%2,488118,340 mi
200274%1,861118,564 mi
200174%1,589119,894 mi
200071%916117,266 mi
199972%894121,784 mi
199871%1,415124,348 mi
199768%1,002133,345 mi
199673%902127,103 mi
199577%370123,514 mi
199473%360123,787 mi
199374%148126,173 mi
199272%169116,058 mi
199170%182122,842 mi
199075%187118,452 mi

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About the 2008 TOYOTA CELICA

The 2008 TOYOTA CELICA is a family car with a 1997cc petrol engine. 57 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 13% of all 2008 cars for reliability.

With an average of 119,491 miles at 18 years old, TOYOTA CELICA owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2008 TOYOTA CELICA Fuel Costs

The 1997cc 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 2008 TOYOTA CELICA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 88% 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 2008 TOYOTA CELICA

At 18 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. Note: with only 57 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2008 TOYOTA CELICA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 18 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 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 2008 TOYOTA CELICA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
TOYOTA CELICA(2008)88%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2047
FORD FOCUS(2009)74%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£220
NISSAN QASHQAI(2010)67%£1137£135Grp 12-25£2027-£20
MINI MINI(2010)80%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1677-£370
BMW 3 SERIES(2007)80%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£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.

Related Toyota Models

Explore other Toyota cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Toyota Celica.

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