2017 Toyota Proace: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Toyota Proace?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Toyota Proace than on all cars registered in 2017.

• Number plate lights6.8× usual
  Toyota Proace

  13.6% All 2017 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 0.6% of all 2017 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 leaks6.2× usual
  Toyota Proace

  9.3% All 2017 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0% of all 2017 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) joints7.5× usual
  Toyota Proace

  8.3% All 2017 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 0.6% of all 2017 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.

• Sidelights5.1× usual
  Toyota Proace

  4.1% All 2017 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 0.7% of all 2017 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 2017 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2017 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.

Common 2017 Toyota Proace MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 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
  25% 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.

• Suspension
  11% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  10% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 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 number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 6.8× as often on the 2017 Toyota Proace as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 6.2× as often on the 2017 Toyota Proace as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 7.5× as often on the 2017 Toyota Proace as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?