Part of the Toyota Prius Mk4 (2016–2022) guide: best and worst years compared.
2021 Toyota Prius: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Toyota Prius first registered in 2021: we looked at the 3,188 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Common 2021 Toyota Prius MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2021 Toyota Prius MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres14% 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.
- Brakes5% 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 electrics4% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors4% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Suspension2% 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.
Known faults on the 2021 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 2021 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 | 518 | Tyres 17% |
| 2022 | 1,691 | Tyres 15% |
| 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% |
| 2007 | 6,102 | Suspension 43% |
| 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 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score