What costs are likely for a 1998 Toyota Corolla?

I am considering buying a used 1998 Toyota Corolla 1.3 with 163,000 miles on the clock. I expect to do 15,000 miles per year. Over next five years what wear and tear repairs might i expect?

Fiona Milne (Wexford)

Jun 2010 Filed under: running costs

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Expert answer

Hi Fiona,

With a car of that age and high mileage you really have to be prepared for a lot to go wrong. Toyotas of that age have an excellent reliability record, but depending on how the car was used and maintained up to now there are still likely to be things that require replacing. Obviously normal items like brakes, clutch and filters will require regular checks, but with a car of that age you need to watch out for CV joints, suspension bushings, ball joints, gear linkages, engine mountings, etc. That engine is quite robust, but make sure it has had its timing belt regularly changed if possible before buying the car. Also watch out for oil leaks and high coolant temperatures.

In summary, you really need to be ready for anything to go wrong in a car of that age and mileage.

Shane O' Donoghue - Complete Car Adviser
@Shane_O_D