Toyota Prius common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Toyota Prius, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 471,095 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 2025 Toyota Prius
Cars registered in 2025 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Toyota Prius as a whole.
What to check on a 2025 car
- Warranty left
Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.
- Servicing
Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.
- Finance
Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.
- Recalls
Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.
- Logbook (V5C)
The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.
Other years
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
202620252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000
Generation guides: Toyota Prius Mk3 (2009–2016) · Toyota Prius Mk4 (2016–2022)
What usually goes wrong with a Toyota Prius?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2009–2015 · 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.
- Cars registered 2016–2022 · 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
- Cars registered 2009–2015 · 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.
- Cars registered 2009–2015 · 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.
- Cars registered 2003–2008 · 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.
- Cars registered 2003–2008 · 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.
- Cars registered 2009–2015 · 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.
- Cars registered 2003–2008 · 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.
Common Toyota Prius MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Hybrid
Headlights
up to 2.6× usualStands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2015.
Rough price £40–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.
Number plate lights
up to 7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Rough price £5–£40 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.
Link ball joint covers
up to 2.8× usualStands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Steering swivel joints
up to 4.4× usualStands out on cars registered in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
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.
Engine warning light
up to 2.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
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.
Chassis rust or damage
up to 2.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2008.
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.
Toyota Prius MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2012 Toyota Prius did best (73% passed first time, 9 points above all 2012 cars) and the 2023 did worst (92%, 0 points above all 2023 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 92% | 92% +0 | 1,232 |
| 2022 | 92% | 89% +3 | 2,834 |
| 2021 | 91% | 87% +4 | 6,606 |
| 2020 | 87% | 87% +0 | 26,304 |
| 2019 | 87% | 85% +2 | 47,795 |
| 2018 | 88% | 83% +5 | 42,725 |
| 2017 | 87% | 80% +7 | 45,148 |
| 2016 | 84% | 77% +7 | 43,989 |
| 2015 | 79% | 74% +5 | 40,082 |
| 2014 | 77% | 70% +7 | 35,918 |
| 2013 | 75% | 67% +8 | 26,198 |
| 2012 | 73% | 64% +9 | 23,311 |
| 2011 | 69% | 62% +7 | 21,036 |
| 2010 | 67% | 60% +7 | 28,189 |
| 2009 | 66% | 59% +7 | 20,260 |
| 2008 | 65% | 57% +8 | 19,495 |
| 2007 | 63% | 57% +6 | 19,325 |
| 2006 | 61% | 56% +5 | 10,324 |
| 2005 | 62% | 57% +5 | 6,989 |
| 2004 | 61% | 57% +4 | 2,573 |
| 2003 | 64% | 57% +7 | 406 (small sample) |
| 2002 | 69% | 58% +11 | 129 (small sample) |
| 2001 | 63% | 60% +3 | 227 (small sample) |
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 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?
- Have all the recalls been done, including the 2018 fire-risk one?
- 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 2.5× as often on the Toyota Prius as on other cars the same age.)
Looking at a Toyota Prius?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score