2022 Toyota Proace City Icon 1.5L Diesel · YY22 ABF

The defining mechanical theme across the recent MOT history of this 2022 Toyota Proace City Icon is the emergence of wear-related defects clustered at the rear axle and steering system, alongside an engine management warning that warrants verification. On 5 August 2026 the vehicle was both failed and passed on the same date. The failure was driven by a single dangerous defect, a nearside front tyre with exposed ply or cords around the outer edge, which is an immediate road safety issue. The advisories recorded alongside that test are arguably more telling for a prospective buyer because they point to developing component wear: play in the steering rack inner joint, a fluctuating nearside rear service brake, a heavily corroded nearside rear brake disc with pitting and scoring, and a check engine warning light that activates on start-up. Prior to this entry, the 2025 tests were largely clean, with only a single failed item in March 2025 for an inoperative central stop lamp, followed by a pass on the same visit and another clean pass at the end of August 2025. The pattern therefore shifts from a clean record in 2025 to a cluster of wear-related advisories and a tyre-related failure within twelve months, suggesting that the vehicle has now entered a phase where consumables and chassis components are beginning to demand attention. With 65,328 miles recorded on a 2022 vehicle, the annual mileage of approximately 16,332 miles is well above the typical figure for a light commercial of this age, placing it in the higher-use bracket. The MOT record shows no extended testing gaps, indicating continuous use rather than long periods off the road, which is consistent with the accumulated wear observed in the recent advisories. Higher mileage on a Proace City of this generation tends to accelerate wear on brake components, steering linkages, clutch assemblies, and suspension bushes, all of which are load-sensitive items. The 2025 entries show a clean record with no advisories, so the sudden appearance of steering rack play, rear brake disc corrosion, and rear brake fluctuation in the 2026 test suggests these components have crossed a wear threshold during the intervening period rather than reflecting a long-standing problem. From a buyer inspection perspective, the steering rack inner joint play is a primary concern and warrants a focused road test. Listen for any knocking or clunking from the front end, particularly when turning at low speed or when the steering passes over centre, and feel for any notchiness, irregular resistance, or vibration through the wheel. On the nearside rear corner, the fluctuating service brake and the heavily corroded, pitted, scored brake disc indicate the caliper or guide pins may be sticking, the brake pad friction material may be unevenly worn, or the disc itself may be beyond its service limits. On a test drive, the symptoms to look for are rear brake judder under firm application, pulling to one side, a soft or inconsistent pedal, and any grinding or scraping noise from the rear wheels. The disc condition should be physically inspected for lipping, blueing from heat, and deep corrosion pitting, and the nearside rear caliper should be checked for seized sliders. Given the exposed-cord tyre defect, all four tyres should be examined for age-related cracking, tread depth across the full width, and any sidewall damage, as one cord-exposure failure on a higher-mileage vehicle can indicate that the remaining tyres are approaching a similar condition. The check engine warning light activating on start-up but not explicitly noted as remaining illuminated is also worth addressing before purchase. A light that activates with ignition and extinguishes is generally a normal bulb check, but if the advisory indicates it stays on or returns under driving conditions, a diagnostic read of the stored fault codes is essential. Common triggers on higher-mileage Proace City diesel models include diesel particulate filter loading, EGR valve operation, and sensor faults, each of which can have cost and complexity implications. The central stop lamp failure from March 2025 was a straightforward electrical issue, easily rectified, and does not appear to have recurred. Beyond the flagged items, the absence of structural corrosion advisories, suspension bush failures, or exhaust integrity issues is a positive signal, but the cumulative effect of the 2026 advisories, combined with the high annual mileage, means that a pre-purchase inspection by a competent technician with the vehicle raised on a ramp would be a prudent investment. A clear diagnostic report, an honest appraisal of the rear brake disc service life, and confirmation of the steering rack joint condition will be the decisive factors in determining whether this vehicle represents a sound purchase at its current asking price.