Toyota Paseo (1997)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 184 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,183

£182/month

MOT Pass Rate

79%

Average

Road Tax

£230

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1497cc Petrol

Check Carefully

79% pass rate, £2,183/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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

£4.99

Check a specific Toyota Paseo

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

Petrol1497cc29 years old184 tests104k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1497cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Pre-2001 engine size rate

£230

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,183

Per month£182/mo

Per week£42/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

79% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

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

79% of MOT tests on Toyota Paseos from 1997 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 27 years old. That's based on 184 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 104,151 miles.

Got a Toyota Paseo 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 models100th of 306(top half)

Rank among Toyota models631st of 970(bottom half)

vs average of all models-3%(82% avg)

vs 1997 models average+4%(75% avg)

vs Toyota average-5%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

104,151

Average miles

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1997 Toyota Paseo had 104,151 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific Toyota Paseo?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Toyota Paseo by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
1997	79%	184	104,151 mi
1996	76%	323	103,809 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Mazda MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,328/year

73%

-6%

Volkswagen Golf

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,561/year

71%

-8%

Vauxhall Corsa

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,810/year

89%

+10%

Nissan Micra

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£2,183/year

70%

-9%

Check a Specific Toyota Paseo

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 Paseo

The 1997 Toyota Paseo is a small family car. Our records list a 1497cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 184 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 1997, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 104,151 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Toyota Paseo owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 Toyota Paseo Fuel Costs

The 1497cc 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 1997 Toyota Paseo?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,183 (£182/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £230 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 79% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 1997 Toyota Paseo

At 29 years old, the Toyota Paseo 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

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 104k 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 Paseo 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 Paseo(1997)	79%	£1,398	£230	Grp 12-25	£2,183
Mazda MX-5(1999)	73%	£1,398	£375	Grp 12-25	£2,328+£145
Volkswagen Golf(1999)	71%	£1,631	£375	Grp 18-32	£2,561+£378
Vauxhall Corsa(1999)	89%	£1,175	£230	Grp 5-15	£1,810-£373
Nissan Micra(1999)	70%	£1,398	£230	Grp 8-20	£2,183same

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 1997 Toyota Paseo

Is the 1997 Toyota Paseo reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 79% of MOT tests on 1997 Toyota Paseos ended in a pass, from 184 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 3 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 1997 Toyota Paseo cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,183 a year (£182 a month): £1,398 fuel, £230 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 1997 Toyota Paseo?

79% of 184 MOT tests on the 1997 Toyota Paseo ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 100th of 306 models first registered in 1997 (top half).

Which year Toyota Paseo has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1997 Toyota Paseo has the highest MOT pass rate at 79% and the 1996 the lowest at 76%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 1997 Toyota Paseo?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 1997 Toyota Paseo is 104,151 miles, which is below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.