2009 Toyota Prius: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Toyota Prius?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Toyota Prius than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Headlights2.3× usual
  Toyota Prius

  16.3% All 2009 cars

  7.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6%, against 3.8% of all 2009 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.

• Rigid brake pipes2× usual
  Toyota Prius

  14.4% All 2009 cars

  7.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 1.2% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Rust around suspension or steering mountings1.7× usual
  Toyota Prius

  4.1% All 2009 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 1.1% of all 2009 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.

• Chassis rust or damage1.8× usual
  Toyota Prius

  2.5% All 2009 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.4% of all 2009 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.

• Body structure rust or damage1.8× usual
  Toyota Prius

  2.1% All 2009 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.3% of all 2009 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.

Common 2009 Toyota Prius MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Toyota Prius MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Lights and electrics
  35% 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
  33% 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.

• Suspension
  33% 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.

• Tyres
  28% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  9% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Rust and bodywork
  6% 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.

Known faults on the 2009 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.

• Oil use and head gasket (1.8 petrol)

  1.8 hybrid

  Some owners treat the Prius like an electric car and forget the oil and coolant. Low oil can wreck the engine, and a failing head gasket can go unnoticed.

  At the viewing: Check the oil on the dipstick and the coolant level, and look for regular servicing.

  Source: Parkers: used Toyota Prius 2009-2015 review

• Hybrid battery age

  All

  A new hybrid battery from Toyota is expensive. Reconditioned packs from established UK firms are cheaper.

  At the viewing: Ask whether the hybrid battery has been replaced and by whom.

  Source: Parkers: used Toyota Prius 2009-2015 review

• Air-con compressor

  All

  The air-con compressor has its own electric motor that can wear out, and it's costly to replace. A seller saying it 'just needs a regas' is a warning sign.

  At the viewing: Run the air con and check it blows properly cold.

  Source: Parkers: used Toyota Prius 2009-2015 review

• Rusty brake discs

  All

  Because the hybrid system does much of the braking, discs often rust rather than wear, and fail the MOT that way.

  At the viewing: Look at the discs through the wheels for heavy rust or a ridged surface.

  Source: Parkers: used Toyota Prius 2009-2015 review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Toyota Prius

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Is there a full service history, and does it use oil?
2. Has the hybrid battery been replaced or reconditioned?
3. Does the air con work properly?
4. When were the brakes last done?
5. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2009 Toyota Prius as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2009 Toyota Prius as on other cars the same age.)