2004 Toyota Celica 1.8L Petrol · FT04 AEM

The vehicle shows a history of significant structural degradation that appears to be managed rather than repaired. While the most recent test in September 2022 at 142,570 miles passed, the record reveals persistent corrosion across the sills, floors, and rear suspension mountings. The use of sill covers across multiple years suggests an attempt to mask underlying rust, which was particularly evident in the 2019 and 2021 failures where structural integrity de-rating mountings were found to be compromised by holes in the chassis and corroded seat belt anchor points. At 142,570 miles over 22 years, the Celica has been used approximately 6,500 miles per year, which is consistent with a vehicle of this age. However, there is a concerning gap in the data as the last recorded MOT was in September 2022, meaning the vehicle has gone nearly four years without an official inspection. This interval leaves the current state of the mechanical and structural components unknown, especially given the history of major exhaust leaks and emissions failures noted in the past. Mechanical history indicates recurring issues with the braking system and suspension components. The handbrake consistently showed low reserve travel between 2019 and 2022, and previous tests flagged multiple broken coil springs and insecure anti-roll bar brackets. The fuel filler neck has also been modified multiple times due to corrosion or low clearance, which indicates a non-standard repair history that may be difficult to inspect properly. A buyer should perform a thorough underside inspection of the sills and subframes to determine if the structural rust noted in earlier years has progressed beyond the point of safety.