Used Toyota Corolla Saloon 1997 - 2002 reliability review
It'll get you from A to B reliably and reasonably safely
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- (2004 - 07)
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What's the used Toyota Corolla like?
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Reliability
Stuart Milne
Updated: 1 January 2006
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What should I look for in a used Toyota Corolla?
The Corolla enjoys a reputation for good, solid reliability and it's been well proven with strong results in the JD Power Reliability Survey. The Warranty Direct Reliability index paints a positive picture, too, with an exceptionally low fault rate.
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Despite all this, there are still things to look out for, and also a number of recall issues that you need to make sure have been addressed. Models built between November, 2001 and April, 2002 were recalled because of possible faults with the rear brakes. Cars built between March and May, 2002 have had brake pedal problems, while cars built between February and October, 2002 have suffered faulty automatic gearboxes.
If you are looking at a high-mileage car, make sure that the cambelt has been changed every 60,000 miles. Front wheel bearings can also give trouble as the miles mount and faulty engine electronic control units can lead to plunging performance.
Tips & Advice
Make sure you have warranty cover
New cars usually have warranties that last between three and seven years that can help cover the cost of mechanical faults. But this protection can last longer with an extended warranty
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About the writer
Name: Stuart Milne
Title: Digital editor
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Stuart has been a motoring journalist for more than 25 years, writing and editing for a wide range of consumer titles. Today, Stuart is responsible for the smooth running of whatcar.com and all of its related social and digital channels. And he’s the man responsible for making sure you're able to find What Car?’s industry-leading content whenever you search for it.
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