Used car guide

2018 Toyota Proace: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Toyota Proaces, from 1,963 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,963MOT tests in 2025
71%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
12,000typical miles a year
6.7×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Toyota Proaces than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Number plate lights6.7× usual
    Toyota Proace
    12.1% All 2018 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 0.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Engine oil leaks7.8× usual
    Toyota Proace
    10.9% All 2018 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints7.1× usual
    Toyota Proace
    7.8% All 2018 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 0.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Sidelights5.7× usual
    Toyota Proace
    4% All 2018 cars
    0.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 0.6% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Windscreen2.5× usual
    Toyota Proace
    4.9% All 2018 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

By area

The share of 2018 Toyota Proace MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    26% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    26% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    24% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    12% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    10% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Suspension
    8% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

Looking at a Toyota Proace?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20223,198Tyres 24%
20212,053Brakes 23%
20201,670Tyres 25%
20191,828Tyres 23%
20171,572Lights and electrics 30%
2016567Lights and electrics 36%
20151,045Lights and electrics 43%
2014765Lights and electrics 42%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2018 Toyota Proaces registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score