2002 Toyota Celica 1.8L Petrol · NJ52 XPS
2002 Toyota Celica (1.8L, petrol). First registered 30 Oct 2002. Recorded mileage 81,105 miles. MOT valid until 08 May 2027.
- Make & Model
- TOYOTA CELICA
- Year / Origin
- 2002 · Newcastle
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 08 May 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 81,105 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.
NJ52 XPS Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 06/05/2026
- 81,105 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring exhaust & emissions items (4 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
NJ52 XPS MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 2002 Toyota Celica (NJ52 XPS) between October 2022 and May 2026.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 06 May 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Exhaust & Emissions (4 issues), Lighting (2 issues), Bodywork (2 issues), Tyres (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 6 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: “Offside Rear Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly red”; “Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))”.
NJ52 XPS Mileage History
- 22/10/202267,556 mi
- 23/10/202372,280 mi+4,724 mi
- 15/10/202476,755 mi+4,475 mi
- 10/05/202576,794 mi+39 mi
- 06/05/202681,105 mi+4,311 mi
Average of roughly 3,830 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
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: Good
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.
Similar Vehicles
Similar Vehicles Checked Recently
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (NJ52 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as NJ52XPS.
BMW
530
BMW
525
BMW
735
MINI
MINI
BMW
3 SERIES
BMW
3 SERIES
FORD
TRANSIT
ISUZU
TROOPER
SUBARU
IMPREZA
ISUZU
TROOPER CITATION DT SWB
ISUZU
TROOPER
ISUZU
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.
Regional DVLA Registration Directory
Vehicles and registration batches issued by regional DVLA offices across the UK.
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.