2007 Toyota Prius: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Toyota Prius first registered in 2007: we looked at the 6,102 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2007 Toyota Prius?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2007 Toyota Prius than on all cars registered in 2007.
- Headlights2× usualToyota Prius26.1% All 2007 cars13%
Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 4.7% of all 2007 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.
- Number plates1.7× usualToyota Prius10.2% All 2007 cars6.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.6% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £5–£40 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.
- Engine warning light2.2× usualToyota Prius5.7% All 2007 cars2.6%
Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 2.6% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
- Steering swivel joints3.3× usualToyota Prius3.9% All 2007 cars1.2%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
- Chassis rust or damage1.9× usualToyota Prius5.2% All 2007 cars2.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.8% of all 2007 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
Engine oil leaks: 3.1% here, against 13.5% of all 2007 cars. Brake lights: 1.1% here, against 5.9% of all 2007 cars.
Common 2007 Toyota Prius MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2007 Toyota Prius MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension43% 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 electrics42% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Brakes33% 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.
- Tyres29% 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 bodywork12% 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.
- Driveshafts and joints11% of testsRough price £60–£350
At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.
Known faults on the 2007 Toyota Prius
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- All versions
Stalling software recall
Mainly in the USA, some cars stalled and wouldn't restart because of faulty engine software. Toyota recalled the affected cars and fixed it.
At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.
- All versions
Brake light recall
UK cars were recalled because the rear brake light could malfunction.
At the viewing: Have someone check the brake lights work.
- All versions
Ex-fleet wear
Many were council or company pool cars and may not have been well maintained.
At the viewing: Check the service history and the V5C for fleet ownership.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2007 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 2007 Toyota Prius as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2007 Toyota Prius as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2007 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 | 518 | Tyres 17% |
| 2022 | 1,691 | Tyres 15% |
| 2021 | 3,188 | Tyres 14% |
| 2020 | 10,170 | Tyres 16% |
| 2019 | 16,977 | Tyres 16% |
| 2018 | 15,284 | Tyres 17% |
| 2017 | 15,390 | Tyres 19% |
| 2016 | 14,718 | Tyres 19% |
| 2015 | 13,308 | Tyres 19% |
| 2014 | 10,820 | Tyres 22% |
| 2013 | 8,240 | Lights and electrics 25% |
| 2012 | 7,894 | Lights and electrics 27% |
| 2011 | 7,048 | Lights and electrics 33% |
| 2010 | 9,326 | Suspension 35% |
| 2009 | 6,614 | Suspension 37% |
| 2008 | 6,169 | Lights and electrics 42% |
| 2006 | 3,199 | Suspension 45% |
| 2005 | 2,109 | Suspension 48% |
| 2004 | 751 | Suspension 50% |
| 2003 | 113 | Suspension 53% |
| 2002 | – | Too few tests |
| 2001 | – | Too few tests |
| 2000 | – | Too few tests |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Toyota Prius cars first registered in 2007. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score