Used Toyota Corolla Estate 1997 - 2004 reliability review
It'll just about cope with family life, but it's dull to drive
- Toyota Corolla Estate (97 - 04)
What should I look for in a used Toyota Corolla?
Toyotas have an enviable reputation for being able to take tough and troublesome times in their stride. Nevertheless it may prove prudent to have the suspension checked out on high-mileage estates if you are planning a lot of heavy load-shifting. In particular, it's important to check that engines have had their cambelt changed by the time they've reached 60,000 miles.
Other trouble spots to look out for include worn front wheel bearings and faulty engine management systems. The wheel bearings should soon make themselves heard and felt on a test drive, but faulty electronic engine control units can be harder to spot. Symptoms can include a loss of power and poor fuel economy.
Despite its well-earned and genuine reputation for reliability, the Corolla has been subjected to a number of recalls, affecting the brakes, brake pedals and the gearbox. Full details can be found at www.vosa.gov.uk.
