Toyota Tercel Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Toyota Tercel car check
Is the Toyota Tercel reliable? We analysed 1,674 real MOT tests across 314 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Toyota Tercel? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Toyota Tercel is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded and constant velocity joint gaiter split. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Toyota Tercel.
Toyota Tercel Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Toyota Tercel. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Toyota Tercel MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Toyota Tercel to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Toyota Tercel Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Toyota Tercel fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Toyota Tercel Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Toyota Tercel owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Toyota Tercel MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Toyota Tercel year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 132 | 65.9% | 76,356 | 86,033 | 134,420 |
| 1987 | 419 | 66.3% | 84,483 | 109,140 | 135,085 |
| 1986 | 317 | 62.5% | 99,461 | 122,045 | 146,401 |
| 1985 | 209 | 69.9% | 70,322 | 94,889 | 127,120 |
| 1984 | 152 | 68.4% | 35,724 | 64,231 | 73,042 |
| 1983 | 180 | 67.8% | 51,942 | 80,466 | 105,188 |
How Long Does a Toyota Tercel Last?
Based on 314 Toyota Tercel vehicles on UK roads.
Toyota Tercel Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Toyota Tercel 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 Tercel
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
69.9% MOT pass rate from 209 tests
62.5% MOT pass rate from 317 tests
The best year to buy a used Toyota Tercel is 1985, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 69.9% across 209 tests. The 1986 model year has the lowest pass rate at 62.5% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Toyota Tercel Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Tercel THIS CAR | 66.5% | 1,674 | 95,843 mi | 43 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 |
| Peugeot 3008 GT Line Bluehdi S/s | 94.4% | 965 | 58,152 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Toyota Yaris (77.7% pass rate) and the Toyota Corolla (75.4% pass rate), the Toyota Tercel trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Toyota Tercel 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 TercelShould you buy a used Toyota Tercel?
The Toyota Tercel has an overall MOT pass rate of 66.5% across 1,674 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Toyota Tercel are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (294 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (123), and constant velocity joint gaiter split (74). 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 Tercel owner drives around 1,256 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 Tercel models stay on UK roads for around 43 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.