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Toyota TERCEL

252 registered in New Zealand · 1983–1999 · 98% from Japan

The Toyota TERCEL is a recognisable name on New Zealand roads, with 252 registered across model years 1983 to 1999. Most are petrol-powered hatchbacks with a 1.3L engine.

Below you'll find a complete breakdown of fuel types, body styles, drivetrain options, regional distribution, and estimated running costs. Select a specific model year to see detailed specs, buyer insights, and variant-level data for that generation of the TERCEL.

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252 On NZ Roads
1.3L Engine

Fuel Types

Toyota TERCEL fuel type breakdown: PETROL 99%, DIESEL 1%.

PETROL 99% DIESEL 1%

Fleet Age Profile

How many Toyota TERCEL vehicles from each manufacture year are still registered in NZ. Taller bars mean more of that year on the road — better parts availability and more mechanics who know it.

Toyota TERCEL fleet age profile: 1995: 62, 1996: 58, 1997: 53, 1998: 39, 1999: 12.

Drivetrain

Engine Size

Toyota TERCEL engine sizes: 1.3L 50%, 1.3L 17%, 1.5L 17%, 1.5L 6%, 1.5L 2%.

Imported From

Toyota TERCEL imported from: Japan 98%, Not Known 1%, Germany 0%.

When They Arrived in NZ

When Toyota TERCEL vehicles were first registered in New Zealand — showing import waves and buying trends.

Toyota TERCEL NZ arrival timeline: 2005: 25, 2006: 29, 2007: 27, 2008: 9, 2009: 1.

Colours

BLUE 84 (33%)
SILVER 66 (26%)
WHITE 41 (16%)
GREEN 26 (10%)
GREY 18 (7%)
RED 14 (6%)
BLACK 2 (1%)
GOLD 1 (0%)

Colours shown are approximate representations of NZTA basic colour categories, not exact manufacturer paint codes.

Where They Are in NZ

Toyota TERCEL regional distribution: AUCKLAND: 70, CHRISTCHURCH: 28, HAMILTON: 12, LOWER HUTT: 8, DUNEDIN: 8.

Body Types

HATCHBACK 56%
SALOON 43%
STATION WAGON 1%

Similar Cars

1 Suzuki logo
Suzuki Swift 102,567
1986–2026 5.6 L/100km
2 Toyota logo
Toyota Corolla 101,776
1971–2026 5.8 L/100km
3 Toyota logo
Toyota Aqua 66,645
2010–2024 2.8 L/100km
4 Mazda logo
Mazda Demio 48,885
1996–2022 4.8 L/100km
5 Mazda logo
Mazda Axela 47,583
2003–2021 6.2 L/100km

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Toyota TERCEL are there in New Zealand?

There are 252 Toyota TERCEL vehicles registered in New Zealand as of March 2026, making up 0% of the total passenger fleet. Model years range from 1983 to 1999.

What body type is the Toyota TERCEL?

The Toyota TERCEL is primarily classified as a hatchback in the NZTA fleet register. It is also available in other body configurations: saloon, station wagon. The most common fuel type is petrol.

Are Toyota TERCEL cars imported or NZ-new?

98% of Toyota TERCEL vehicles in New Zealand originated from Japan. The majority arrived as used imports, which is typical for this model. Check the import status and origin country for the specific year you're considering on the individual year pages.

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