Thinking about buying a used Toyota Probox (2002) in New Zealand? We've documented 6 known faults for this model spanning body & rust, engine, fluid leaks, and suspension. Each researched and verified before it's published. The most serious issues here are rated major. Two are set out in full below — the rest, with the symptoms, repair costs and checks for each, are free with an account.
6
Documented faults
Major
Most serious
$300–$1,300
Typical repair
4
Systems covered
Known Toyota Probox faults
Every fault below is documented specifically for this model — researched and verified before it’s published.
01Underbody, wheel-arch and tailgate corrosion on hard-worked coastal examples
MajorCommonBody & Rust $300–$2,500 to fix
The Probox/Succeed is a bare-bones commercial vehicle with basic underbody protection, so on high-mileage examples that have lived a working life in New Zealand's damp, coastal, salt-air conditions, rust is a real inspection item rather than a cosmetic afterthought. Owner and buyer guides flag paint peeling and rust forming in the wheel arches, along the sills and across the undercarriage, worsening quickly where there is no undercoating and in coastal areas. On a van used for deliveries or rural work the load floor, tailgate and rear arches take the most abuse. There is no rust-related recall for this model; severity ranges from surface bubbling to structural rot that can fail a WoF, so inspect thoroughly.
Symptoms to notice
Paint bubbling or blistering along wheel arches, sills and lower doors
Flaking surface rust or scaling on the undercarriage and subframe areas
Rust around the tailgate, load-floor edges and rear arches on vans
Brown staining or holes visible when the underbody is inspected on a hoist
What to check
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, floor edges, tailgate and the full underbody, ideally on a hoist, pressing suspect areas to check whether rust is surface-only or has gone structural. Pay extra attention to coastal-region cars and any without evidence of underbody protection. Check that the car will pass a Warrant of Fitness, as structural corrosion in load-bearing areas is a WoF failure.
Where to look: Wheel arches, sills, lower doors, tailgate, load floor and underbody
Ask the seller
“Has the car spent its life near the coast or on rural/gravel work?”
“Has any rust repair or underbody protection been done?”
“When did it last pass a WoF, and were any corrosion advisories noted?”
“Can I put it on a hoist to inspect the underbody?”
02Rear suspension sag and worn rear dampers from constant load carrying
MinorCommonSuspension $350–$1,300 to fix
The Probox/Succeed is bought as a load-carrying workhorse, and the rear suspension and dampers wear from years of being run loaded. On high-mileage examples the rear can sit low or noticeably lower on one side, the rear shocks lose their damping, and bushings tire, which shows up as bottoming-out over bumps when laden and vague handling. This is expected load-related wear rather than a design defect or recall, and it is easy to hide by inspecting the car empty. Because it directly affects ride height, tyre wear and braking stability, confirm the rear sits level and the dampers still control the load. Costs cover replacement rear dampers and, where fitted, tired springs or bushes.
Symptoms to notice
Rear of the vehicle sits low or lower on one side, especially when loaded
Bottoming-out or harsh crashing over bumps when carrying weight
Bouncy, poorly-controlled rear ride or nose-up stance
Leaking or oil-filmed rear shock absorbers
Uneven or cupped rear tyre wear
What to check
Check the car sits level front-to-rear and side-to-side on flat ground, then push down hard on each rear corner and confirm it settles in one rebound rather than bouncing. Inspect the rear dampers for oil leaks and the springs and bushings for sag, cracks or perishing. If possible, load some weight in the back and confirm the rear does not squat excessively or bottom out.
Where to look: Rear suspension - rear shock absorbers, springs and bushings
Ask the seller
“Has the car been used to carry heavy or regular loads?”
“Have the rear shocks, springs or bushes ever been replaced?”
“Does the rear bottom out or sag when you load it up?”
“Does it sit level, or lower at the back or on one side?”
EngineMajor
EngineMajor
Fluid LeaksMajor
Fluid LeaksMinor
4 more documented faults on the Toyota Probox
Symptoms, what to check, where to look and what to ask the seller — for every fault above. Free with an account, no card needed. One account covers one vehicle, so make it the car you’re actually looking at.
This page covers the model. Enter the plate of the actual car you’re looking at and see its year, engine, safety rating and register flags — free, no account needed.
Like any used car, it depends on the specific example and its service history. Across the 6 documented faults for the Toyota Probox, the recurring problem areas are body & rust, engine, and fluid leaks. A Toyota Probox with a full service history and no signs of the issues listed on this page can be a sound buy but each one needs to be checked individually before you commit.
What are the most common problems with a used Toyota Probox?
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We've catalogued 6 known faults for the Toyota Probox, covering body & rust, engine, and fluid leaks. Two are written out in full on this page. The rest — with the symptoms to notice, what to inspect, and typical repair costs for each — are free once you create an account.
How much do repairs cost on a Toyota Probox?
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Most single repairs on the Toyota Probox fall between $300–$1,300 at NZ independent-workshop rates. Some of the 6 documented faults cost less and a few cost considerably more, and no one car needs them all. Knowing which ones to look for before you view is what lets you negotiate the price down or walk away.
Should I get a pre-purchase inspection on a Toyota Probox?
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Yes. A Toyota Probox inspection focused on its known weak points is the single best way to avoid an expensive mistake. KickTyres gives you a guided, model-specific inspection plus a market valuation and negotiation figure for $17.90 far less than the cost of missing one of the faults on this page.