Part of the Toyota Prius Mk3 (2009–2016) guide: best and worst years compared.
2010 Toyota Prius: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Toyota Prius first registered in 2010: we looked at the 28,189 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2010 Toyota Prius?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2010 Toyota Prius than on all cars registered in 2010.
- Headlights2.3× usualToyota Prius13.6% All 2010 cars5.8%
Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 3.4% of all 2010 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.
- Rigid brake pipes2.2× usualToyota Prius14% All 2010 cars6.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 1.1% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt 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.
Coil springs: 3.7% here, against 10.4% of all 2010 cars. Engine oil leaks: 4.2% here, against 8.8% of all 2010 cars.
Common 2010 Toyota Prius MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2010 Toyota Prius MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- 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.
- Lights and electrics33% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Suspension31% 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.
- Tyres28% 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 mirrors8% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Steering6% 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.
Known faults on the 2010 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.
- 1.8 hybrid
Oil use and head gasket (1.8 petrol)
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.
- All
Hybrid battery age
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.
- All
Air-con compressor
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.
- All
Rusty brake discs
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.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2010 Toyota Prius
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Is there a full service history, and does it use oil?
- Has the hybrid battery been replaced or reconditioned?
- Does the air con work properly?
- When were the brakes last done?
- Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2010 Toyota Prius as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2010 Toyota Prius as on other cars the same age.)
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 | 1,239 | Tyres 17% |
| 2022 | 2,835 | Tyres 16% |
| 2021 | 6,612 | Tyres 15% |
| 2020 | 26,318 | Tyres 18% |
| 2019 | 47,801 | Tyres 16% |
| 2018 | 42,729 | Tyres 16% |
| 2017 | 45,148 | Tyres 17% |
| 2016 | 44,002 | Tyres 18% |
| 2015 | 40,082 | Tyres 17% |
| 2014 | 35,920 | Tyres 20% |
| 2013 | 26,198 | Lights and electrics 22% |
| 2012 | 23,313 | Lights and electrics 24% |
| 2011 | 21,054 | Lights and electrics 30% |
| 2009 | 20,260 | Lights and electrics 35% |
| 2008 | 19,498 | 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% |
| 2001 | 227 | Suspension 42% |
| 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 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score