Used car guide

2015 Toyota Prius: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 Toyota Priuss, from 13,101 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

13,101MOT tests in 2025
78%pass first time (all 2015 cars: 72%)
16,800typical miles a year
2.1×the usual rate for number plate lights

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2015 Toyota Priuss than on all cars registered in 2015.

  • Number plate lights2.1× usual
    Toyota Prius
    8.5% All 2015 cars
    4.1%
    Rough price £5–£40

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Headlamp2× usual
    Toyota Prius
    4.1% All 2015 cars
    2.1%
    Rough price £40–£400

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

  • Rear fog lamp4.8× usual
    Toyota Prius
    2.4% All 2015 cars
    0.5%
    Rough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Position lamp1.9× usual
    Toyota Prius
    3.7% All 2015 cars
    1.9%
    Rough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Link ball joint covers2.7× usual
    Toyota Prius
    2.7% All 2015 cars
    1%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Tyre condition: 5.4% here, against 13.4% of all 2015 cars. Brake discs: 5.8% here, against 13% of all 2015 cars.

By area

The share of 2015 Toyota Prius MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    19% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    19% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Suspension
    15% 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.

  • Brakes
    13% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Steering
    2% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
202010,124Tyres 16%
201916,858Tyres 16%
201815,181Tyres 17%
201715,245Tyres 19%
201614,615Tyres 19%
201410,662Tyres 22%
20138,137Lights and electrics 25%
20127,821Lights and electrics 27%
20117,031Lights and electrics 33%
20109,326Suspension 35%
20096,614Lights and electrics 37%
20086,168Lights and electrics 42%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2015 Toyota Priuss registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score