Buying Guides

Toyota Corolla (2001-2006) Buying Guide

Pictures shown may not represent exact model specified

by Richard Dredge

It's the car that had a charisma bypass while it was on the drawing board, but with one of the highest levels of reliability around, you could be forgiven for overlooking the Corolla's unexciting design. After more than three decades the Corolla is an icon - just a rather less exciting one than the 911. Don't let that put you off though - if economy and reliability are your key requirements, you won't go far wrong with a Corolla. It's also better to drive than you might think - but it's no Focus.

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We Like	We Don't Like
Reliability Practicality Affordability	Dull design inside and out Smaller engines struggle

Key Dates
12/01	New Corolla hatch and Corolla Verso (estate) on sale.
9/02	Unloved saloon is introduced.
6/04	Facelifted car available, with revised nose and tail plus better equipment levels. At the same time, 1.4 D-4D replaces previous 2.0 D-4D turbodiesel.
11/05	Supercharged Corolla goes on sale.

Checklist
Electrical faults aren't common, but have been known - so check everything works as it should. Petrol engines can use oil at an alarming rate once they've covered 40,000 miles - as much as a litre every 600 miles. If you're buying a Verso, check its luggage cover is intact. It's fiddly and can get broken through ham-fisted use. Brake pedal sinks to the floor on 1.4 D-4D cars with the MMT gearbox, if engine is running but car is stationary. Faulty fuel cut-off switch leads to car cutting out intermittently; diagnostics won't show this though.

Checklist

Electrical faults aren't common, but have been known - so check everything works as it should.
Petrol engines can use oil at an alarming rate once they've covered 40,000 miles - as much as a litre every 600 miles.
If you're buying a Verso, check its luggage cover is intact. It's fiddly and can get broken through ham-fisted use.
Brake pedal sinks to the floor on 1.4 D-4D cars with the MMT gearbox, if engine is running but car is stationary.
Faulty fuel cut-off switch leads to car cutting out intermittently; diagnostics won't show this though.