2013 Toyota Proace: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Toyota Proace?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Toyota Proace than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints8.6× usual
  Toyota Proace

  24.1% All 2013 cars

  2.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 13.8%, against 1.6% of all 2013 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.

• Number plate lights3× usual
  Toyota Proace

  16.7% All 2013 cars

  5.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.8%, against 1.7% of all 2013 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.

• Exhaust system3.5× usual
  Toyota Proace

  14.5% All 2013 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 1.2% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Ball joint2.8× usual
  Toyota Proace

  12.7% All 2013 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 2.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Brake lights3× usual
  Toyota Proace

  9.8% All 2013 cars

  3.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 2.7% of all 2013 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.

Common 2013 Toyota Proace MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 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
  40% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  30% 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.

• Tyres
  29% 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.

• Suspension
  26% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  24% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Exhaust and emissions
  18% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Toyota Proace

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 8.6× as often on the 2013 Toyota Proace as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2013 Toyota Proace as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2013 Toyota Proace as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?