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FL53 EPJ

2003 Toyota Celica

Blue Petrol 1794cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires12 Feb 2027
Tests28 (19 pass, 9 fail)
Pass rate67.9%

Mileage

146,667 mi
Last recorded146,667 miles
Recorded on13 Feb 2026
Typical for 2003 Toyota Celica82,604 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this Toyota
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Finance
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationFL53 EPJ
MakeToyota
ModelCelica
Year2003
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,794cc
View full Toyota Celica reliability data Browse other 2003 Toyota Celica registrations

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

19 pass 9 fail
Pass 13 Feb 2026 146,667 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge wear on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside parking brake reduced effect

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

sill covers fitted

Fail 7 Feb 2026 146,656 miles

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced inner sill (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

sill covers fitted

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge wear on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside parking brake reduced effect

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 18 Nov 2024 144,226 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Fail 18 Nov 2024 144,226 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis rail (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (5.2.3 (e)) DANGEROUS

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Pass 21 Jul 2023 141,911 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 7 Jun 2023 141,783 miles

Brake pedal has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Emissions unable to be completed due to smoke (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration (8.2.1.2 (g))

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is inadequately repaired sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength chassis (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed in cracks (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened front and rear (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Pass 9 Aug 2022 140,103 miles

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn on inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner & outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Radiator Support panel corroded

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

plastic sill covers fitted to outer sills making inspection difficult

Fail 8 Aug 2022 140,100 miles

Exhaust emits dense blue smoke at idle (8.2.1.2 (f))

Exhaust emits excessive dense blue smoke during acceleration vehicle also exceeded 7.00 co% and 2101 Hc test was aborted due to excessive smoke filling workshop (8.2.1.2 (g))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (1.2.1 (b) (i))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge worn on inner edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive inner & outer sill (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Radiator Support panel corroded

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

plastic sill covers fitted to outer sills making inspection difficult

Pass 7 Jun 2021 138,009 miles

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

sill covers fitted

Fail 4 Jun 2021 137,994 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength inner arch (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear Lower Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

sill covers fitted

Pass 4 Jun 2020 135,770 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases centre clamped joint (6.1.2 (a))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

all brake pipes have surface corrosion

inner sills heavily corroded

outer sills have plastic covers fitted making inspection impossible

Fail 29 May 2020 135,749 miles

Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction (8.2.1.2 (h))

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases centre clamped joint (6.1.2 (a))

Front Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the light source but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Rear Subframe mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

all brake pipes have surface corrosion

inner sills heavily corroded

outer sills have plastic covers fitted making inspection impossible

Pass 21 Feb 2019 133,997 miles

Exhaust noisy (8.1.1 (a))

Front Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases joint (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Offside Headlamp has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output (4.1.4 (b))

Pass 22 Feb 2018 133,058 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Fail 22 Feb 2018 133,051 miles

Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust noisy (7.1.4)

Nearside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Offside Headlamp deteriorated but light output not reduced (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (2.4.A.3)

Pass 23 Feb 2017 128,651 miles

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (2.4.A.3)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

e.m.l light on

Pass 22 Feb 2016 118,400 miles

knocking noise on vehicle unable to find any loose or worn parts at time of test

Pass 4 Feb 2015 106,745 miles
Fail 3 Feb 2015 106,745 miles

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Wheel nut(s) missing (4.2.A.1e)

Offside Front position lamp(s) incorrect colour (1.1.A.3e)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 26 Oct 2013 101,497 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 24 Oct 2012 97,720 miles

rear wiper blade broken

Fail 15 Oct 2012 97,707 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Nearside front brake binding (3.7.B.1)

brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

front brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

front brakes release unevenly (3.7.B.4)

rear brake binding (3.7.B.1)

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

rear wiper blade broken

Pass 3 May 2011 92,762 miles
Pass 7 May 2010 90,983 miles
Pass 7 May 2009 84,476 miles

Exhaust has part of the system slightly deteriorated (7.1.1a)

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 15 Aug 2008 76,338 miles
Pass 18 Feb 2008 69,057 miles
Pass 25 Aug 2006 46,690 miles

How Reliable is the Toyota Celica?

Based on 870,417 MOT tests across 67,994 vehicles.

71.3%
Pass Rate
5,488
Miles/Year
36
Year Lifespan
67,994
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 43,337
position lamp(s) not working 23,341
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 23,042
Registration plate lamp not working 18,379
Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick 16,551
Full Toyota Celica reliability report

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FL53 EPJ is a 2003 Toyota Celica in Blue with a 1,794cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 28 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 67.9%.

Across all 2003 Toyota Celica models, the average MOT pass rate is 73.3% with a typical mileage of 82,604 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Toyota Celica fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 43,337 recorded failures. If you're considering buying FL53 EPJ, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Toyota Celica typically stays on UK roads for around 36 years. At 23 years old, this Toyota Celica is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of FL53 EPJ?

You can check the full history of FL53 EPJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was FL53 EPJ registered?

FL53 EPJ is a 2003 Toyota Celica, first registered on 26 September 2003.

Is FL53 EPJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for FL53 EPJ shows 28 tests with a 67.9% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does FL53 EPJ have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on FL53 EPJ. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.