2002 Toyota Celica 1.8L Petrol · GX52 MZV
2002 Toyota Celica (1.8L, petrol). First registered 01 Sept 2002. Recorded mileage 133,124 miles. MOT expired on 08 Feb 2016.
- Make & Model
- TOYOTA CELICA
- Year / Origin
- 2002 · Canterbury
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Expired on 08 Feb 2016
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (16 Jun 2016)
- Recorded Mileage
- 133,124 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Likely ULEZ Compliant (Early Euro 4)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 1.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
GX52 MZV Key Findings
- 12 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 09/02/2015
- 133,124 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 3 historical MOT failures
- 4 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring tyres items (13 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
GX52 MZV MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
12 MOT tests are recorded for this 2002 Toyota Celica (GX52 MZV) between September 2006 and February 2015.
The record contains 9 passes and 3 failures.
The most recent test on 09 February 2015 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 3 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Tyres (13 issues), Lighting (4 issues), Windscreen (4 issues), Brakes (3 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 19 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (3.5.1g)”; “Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)”; “Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)”.
GX52 MZV Mileage History
- 23/09/200625,304 mi
- 01/12/200732,756 mi+7,452 mi
- 12/11/200838,491 mi+5,735 mi
- 26/11/200947,674 mi+9,183 mi
- 26/11/201055,829 mi+8,155 mi
- 25/11/201164,988 mi+9,159 mi
- 03/12/201275,414 mi+10,426 mi
- 04/12/201275,414 mi
- 30/01/2014101,924 mi+26,510 mi
- 30/01/2014101,924 mi
- 06/02/2015132,993 mi+31,069 mi
- 09/02/2015133,124 mi+131 mi
Average of roughly 12,865 miles per year across 12 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Toyota Toyota Celica Mk7 (T230)
Our database tracks 3 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Below Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
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TOYOTA CELICA Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 2002 model year cars.
- 1ZZ-FE Engine High Oil Consumption from Piston Ring StickingSerious
Pre-facelift 140 bhp Celicas with the 1.8-litre 1ZZ-FE engine suffer from heavy oil consumption due to undersized oil return holes in the piston skirts and premature carbon sticking of the oil control rings. As oil consumption escalates beyond one litre per 1,000 miles, the engine runs low on lubricant between routine services, causing cylinder bore scoring and crankshaft bearing starvation. Toyota replaced affected short blocks under warranty in the UK for up to 7 years.
- 2ZZ-GE VVTL-i Camshaft Rocker Shaft Lift Bolt ShearModerate
On the 189 bhp Celica 190 and T-Sport models equipped with the 2ZZ-GE engine, the small bolts that secure the rocker shafts (known as lift bolts) are prone to metal fatigue and shearing. A broken bolt allows the rocker shaft to rotate slightly, misaligning the oil passages and preventing the rocker arms from locking onto the high-lift camshaft lobes at 6,200 rpm. This completely eliminates high-rpm VTEC-like power and risks valvetrain damage if ignored.
- Rear Brake Caliper Slider and Handbrake Mechanism SeizureModerate
The rear disc brake calipers feature an integrated cable-operated parking brake mechanism that is vulnerable to moisture and road grit ingress. UK winter road salt corrodes the sliding guide pins and the internal handbrake pivot arm, preventing the caliper from returning to rest. The pads drag continuously against the brake disc, causing disc overheating, scorched friction linings, poor fuel economy, and regular MOT test failure.
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