Part of the Toyota Prius Mk4 (2016–2022) guide: best and worst years compared.
2018 Toyota Prius: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Toyota Prius first registered in 2018: we looked at the 42,725 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Common 2018 Toyota Prius MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2018 Toyota Prius MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres16% 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.
- Brakes8% 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 electrics6% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Suspension6% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors5% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Steering1% 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 2018 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
Fire-risk and parking brake recalls
About 32,000 UK cars were recalled in 2018 for a possible fire risk, and others for the parking brake (2016), passenger airbags and an ECU check (2020).
At the viewing: Ask a Toyota dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.
Source: Auto Express: used Toyota Prius (Mk4, 2015-2022) review
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Toyota Prius
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Have all the recalls been done, including the 2018 fire-risk one?
- 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% |
| 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% |
| 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 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score