Used car guide

2004 Toyota Prius: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Toyota Priuss, from 751 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

751MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
7,400typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Toyota Priuss than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Headlights2.1× usual
    Toyota Prius
    28.2% All 2004 cars
    13.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 4.7% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Chassis rust or damage2.3× usual
    Toyota Prius
    9.3% All 2004 cars
    4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 1.2% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Link ball joint covers2.8× usual
    Toyota Prius
    7.7% All 2004 cars
    2.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 1.5% of all 2004 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.

  • Body structure rust or damage2.1× usual
    Toyota Prius
    7.2% All 2004 cars
    3.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 1% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

  • Other suspension component3.6× usual
    Toyota Prius
    4.3% All 2004 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 3.1% here, against 15.8% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 Toyota Prius MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    47% 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
    38% 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
    32% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    19% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023518Tyres 17%
20221,691Tyres 15%
20213,188Tyres 14%
202010,170Tyres 16%
201916,973Tyres 16%
201815,275Tyres 17%
201715,314Tyres 19%
201614,713Tyres 19%
201513,308Tyres 19%
201410,820Tyres 22%
20138,239Lights and electrics 25%
20127,894Lights and electrics 27%
20117,048Lights and electrics 33%
20109,326Suspension 35%
20096,614Suspension 37%
20086,169Lights and electrics 42%
20076,102Suspension 43%
20063,199Suspension 45%
20052,109Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Toyota Priuss registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score