2003 Toyota Celica 1.8L Petrol · KD52 REU

The vehicle presents a stable roadworthiness status, showing a trend of improvement following a period of significant structural concern. The most recent test in February 2026 at 143,591 miles passed with no defects recorded, indicating that the critical issues identified in previous years have been addressed. This marks a clean sheet compared to the early 2023 period where the car failed due to severe structural corrosion in the rear suspension mounting areas. The mileage pattern is consistent with a 23-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 6,200 miles per year. The data shows steady accumulation, moving from 130,600 miles in early 2019 to over 143,000 miles by 2026. This regular use suggests the car has been driven consistently rather than left to sit for long periods, which is generally beneficial for maintaining the integrity of rubber components and preventing brake seizing, despite the inherent age of the chassis. A buyer must prioritise a thorough physical inspection of the rear inner sills and suspension component mountings. The record shows a history of excessive corrosion that led to a structural failure in March 2023. While the current MOT is clean, the recurrence of rust warnings from 2017 through 2023 suggests the vehicle is prone to moisture retention in these areas. Verify that the repairs made were structurally sound and not merely cosmetic-level patches. The braking system and suspension also require close attention. Previous tests flagged recurring issues with fluctuating rear brakes and pitted discs between 2022 and 2023. Although these appear to have been resolved, the buyer should check for uneven brake pull or noise which would indicate the quality of recent replacements. Given the history of low-pressure tyres and minor shock absorber leaks, a comprehensive check of the current bushings and damping units is essential to ensure no further maintenance has been neglected since the last test.