Used car guide

2005 Toyota Prius: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Toyota Priuss, from 2,109 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,109MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
7,800typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for headlights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Toyota Priuss than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Headlights2× usual
    Toyota Prius
    28.4% All 2005 cars
    14.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.4%, against 4.9% of all 2005 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.

  • Number plates2× usual
    Toyota Prius
    13.3% All 2005 cars
    6.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.6% of all 2005 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.

  • Link ball joint covers2.1× usual
    Toyota Prius
    6.4% All 2005 cars
    3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.7% of all 2005 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.

  • Chassis rust or damage1.9× usual
    Toyota Prius
    6.8% All 2005 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 1% of all 2005 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.

  • Steering swivel joints3.3× usual
    Toyota Prius
    4% All 2005 cars
    1.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.2% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Engine oil leaks: 3.5% here, against 14.5% of all 2005 cars. Ball joint: 1.7% here, against 6.5% of all 2005 cars.

By area

The share of 2005 Toyota Prius MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% 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
    46% 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
    36% 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
    29% 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
    16% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    12% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Toyota Prius?

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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%
2004751Suspension 50%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Toyota Priuss registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score