2001 Toyota Prius: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Toyota Prius first registered in 2001: we looked at the 227 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: there were only 227 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 Toyota Prius?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 Toyota Prius than on all cars registered in 2001.
- Headlights2× usualToyota Prius18.1% All 2001 cars9.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 3.7% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £40–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.
Common 2001 Toyota Prius MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2001 Toyota Prius MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension42% 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.
- Brakes38% 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.
- Lights and electrics36% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres27% 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 bodywork17% 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 mirrors11% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2001 Toyota Prius
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2001 Toyota Prius as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Toyota Prius?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Toyota Prius compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 1,232 | Tyres 16% |
| 2022 | 2,834 | Tyres 16% |
| 2021 | 6,606 | Tyres 15% |
| 2020 | 26,304 | Tyres 18% |
| 2019 | 47,795 | Tyres 16% |
| 2018 | 42,725 | Tyres 16% |
| 2017 | 45,148 | Tyres 17% |
| 2016 | 43,989 | Tyres 18% |
| 2015 | 40,082 | Tyres 17% |
| 2014 | 35,918 | Tyres 20% |
| 2013 | 26,198 | Lights and electrics 22% |
| 2012 | 23,311 | Lights and electrics 24% |
| 2011 | 21,036 | Lights and electrics 31% |
| 2010 | 28,189 | Lights and electrics 33% |
| 2009 | 20,260 | Lights and electrics 35% |
| 2008 | 19,495 | Lights and electrics 39% |
| 2007 | 19,325 | Lights and electrics 40% |
| 2006 | 10,324 | Lights and electrics 43% |
| 2005 | 6,989 | Lights and electrics 44% |
| 2004 | 2,573 | Lights and electrics 47% |
| 2003 | 406 | Suspension 46% |
| 2002 | 129 | Suspension 46% |
| 2000 | – | Too few tests |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Toyota Prius cars first registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score