2014 Toyota Proace: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2014 Toyota Proace?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2014 Toyota Proace than on all cars registered in 2014.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints11.7× usual
  Toyota Proace

  26.8% All 2014 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 15.6%, against 1.3% of all 2014 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 lights3.9× usual
  Toyota Proace

  18.1% All 2014 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 1.4% of all 2014 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.

• Sidelights5.3× usual
  Toyota Proace

  13.2% All 2014 cars

  2.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 12.9%, against 2.2% of all 2014 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.

• Exhaust system4.2× usual
  Toyota Proace

  13.1% All 2014 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 0.9% of all 2014 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 joint3.7× usual
  Toyota Proace

  13.3% All 2014 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.1%, against 2% of all 2014 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.

Common 2014 Toyota Proace MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2014 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
  42% 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
  34% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  27% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

• Tyres
  27% 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
  24% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  16% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2014 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 11.7× as often on the 2014 Toyota Proace as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2014 Toyota Proace as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 5.3× as often on the 2014 Toyota Proace as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?