Toyota Cressida Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Toyota Cressida car check
Is the Toyota Cressida reliable? We analysed 643 real MOT tests across 112 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Toyota Cressida? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Toyota Cressida is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Toyota Cressida.
Toyota Cressida Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Toyota Cressida. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Toyota Cressida MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Toyota Cressida to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Toyota Cressida Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Toyota Cressida fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Toyota Cressida Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Toyota Cressida owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Toyota Cressida MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Toyota Cressida year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 52 | 67.3% | 87,649 | 107,128 | 138,058 |
| 1982 | 51 | 76.5% | 71,924 | 78,963 | 130,785 |
| 1979 | 70 | 75.7% | 46,054 | 85,018 | 90,046 |
| 1978 | 63 | 74.6% | 39,972 | 65,404 | 78,152 |
How Long Does a Toyota Cressida Last?
Based on 112 Toyota Cressida vehicles on UK roads.
Toyota Cressida Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Toyota Cressida MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Toyota Cressida
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
76.5% MOT pass rate from 51 tests
67.3% MOT pass rate from 52 tests
The best year to buy a used Toyota Cressida is 1982, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.5% across 51 tests. The 2005 model year has the lowest pass rate at 67.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Toyota Cressida Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Cressida THIS CAR | 73.4% | 643 | 90,987 mi | 48 yrs |
| Toyota Yaris | 77.7% | 9,038,234 | 54,896 mi | 27 yrs |
| Toyota Corolla | 75.4% | 4,239,724 | 75,409 mi | 36 yrs |
| Toyota Avensis | 75% | 3,497,866 | 89,776 mi | 28 yrs |
| Nissan 300 C | 72.1% | 1,033 | 104,112 mi | 41 yrs |
Compared to the Toyota Yaris (77.7% pass rate) and the Toyota Corolla (75.4% pass rate), the Toyota Cressida trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Toyota Cressida you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Toyota CressidaShould you buy a used Toyota Cressida?
The Toyota Cressida has an overall MOT pass rate of 73.4% across 643 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Toyota Cressida are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (21 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (20), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (19). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Toyota Cressida owner drives around 1,839 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Toyota Cressida models stay on UK roads for around 48 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.