DVLA verified
MOT valid
Tax valid

1998 TOYOTA CELICA1.8L PETROL

S490 DPP

Vehicle Insight Summary

This 1998 TOYOTA CELICA is a PETROL vehicle with a 1762cc engine. Currently it has a valid MOT and is taxed for road use. The latest recorded mileage is 138,988.

MOT
Valid
Expires 04/11/2026
Tax
Taxed
Expires 01/10/2026
Fuel
PETROL
Year
1998
Engine
1762cc
Expert AI · Mechanic's Insight
The vehicle shows a consistent history of progressive corrosion across multiple systems, despite its low annual mileage. In the most recent test on October 2025 at 138,988 miles, the car passed after failing for a major exhaust leak and a split nearside front CV boot. While the immediate failures were addressed, the record reveals extensive surface and structural corrosion on the front sub-frame, suspension mounting points, and all four coil springs. The presence of corroded fuel pipes and brake lines suggests that the vehicle has suffered from environmental exposure or long periods of inactivity, which is common for cars of this age. At 138,988 miles over 28 years, the Celica has averaged approximately 5,000 miles per year. This low usage often correlates with the age-related degradation seen here, such as the perished nearside tyre noted in October 2024 and the severely deteriorated CV boots found across several years. The mileage has remained remarkably static between late 2024 and late 2025, indicating the car is not driven frequently, which likely contributes to the degradation of rubber components and the pitting of the brake discs and metal components. A prospective buyer should be wary of the widespread corrosion on the suspension arms and integral body structure. While the tester noted that these areas were not yet excessively weakened or weakened, the ubiquity of rust across the mounting points indicates a high risk of future structural failure. The rear brake pipes are specifically corroded and covered in grease, which is a common tactic to hide further decay. A thorough inspection of the structural integrity and the condition of the fuel-delivery system is necessary to ensure the corrosion has not progressed beyond the surface level described in the MOT advisories.

AI insights are experimental and can be incorrect. All claims should be manually verified.

Free vehicle health score

85
/ 100 · Good

Public record health check: Good.

Based on free DVLA & DVSA signals. Premium checks for stolen/finance/write-off history are locked below.

✓ Valid MOT
✓ Taxed
✓ Good MOT pass rate (80%)
! Older vehicle
A score of 85 doesn't mean it's safe to buy. Private markers don't appear in public data.
Verified Experian Data

Full History Report

Official provenance and safety check for S490DPP

Data provided by Experian
Stolen
Locked
Finance
Locked
Write-off
Locked
Salvage
Locked
Imported
Locked
Exported
Locked
Scrapped
Locked
Destruction
Locked
V5C Logbook
Locked

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Technical Specifications

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Full MOT History

Live data last synced with DVSA: Jun 4, 2026, 07:05 PM
AI Analysis · MOT Narrative

This 1998 Toyota Celica (S490 DPP) has a recorded MOT history spanning from October 2022 to October 2025, with 5 MOT tests on record.

The vehicle has achieved an overall 80% pass rate, with 4 passes and 1 failure recorded. The car boasts an impressive record, which typically reflects a conscientious ownership history.

The most commonly flagged areas across all MOT tests are: Suspension (34 issues), Brakes (18 issues), Bodywork (4 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (3 issues), Tyres (1 issue). These areas are worth paying attention to when inspecting this vehicle.

There are 69 advisory notices in the MOT history. Advisories are not failures but indicate areas that may need attention in the future.

A total of 3 failure items have been recorded across all tests. Recent failure items include: “Emissions unable to be completed hole in exhaust (8.2.1.2 (d))”; “Nearside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt ”; “Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))”.

AI insights are experimental and can be incorrect. All claims should be manually verified.

PASS
FAIL
ADVISORY