Toyota Prius MOT pass rate and common problems
88.5% of 268,624 Toyota Prius MOT tests pass.
The Prius passes its MOT 88.5% of the time — well above the average across all Toyota models, which sits at 82.3%.
The Toyota Prius passes its MOT 88.5% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Toyota Prius?
This is the average across every Toyota Prius in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Toyota’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Toyota Prius tested at 0–3 years pass 95.1% of the time, compared with just 74.9% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 95.1% | 5,674 | 37,924 miles |
| 3–6 years | 94.1% | 68,790 | 75,665 miles |
| 6–10 years | 91.9% | 96,665 | 124,234 miles |
| 10–15 years | 83.6% | 65,438 | 158,908 miles |
| 15+ years | 74.9% | 32,057 | 157,495 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Toyota Prius
The most common reason the Toyota Prius fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 64.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 64.8% | Not working |
| Suspension | 24.4% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Tyres | 22.0% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Brakes | 20.0% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 16.7% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Body, chassis, structure | 6.8% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.0% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Steering | 2.5% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Road Wheels | 2.4% | Fixing missing |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 1.7% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Toyota Prius: what to check
These checks follow the Toyota Prius’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Toyota Prius comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 83.6% to 74.9%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 94.0% down to 89.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 64.8% of failed Toyota Prius MOTs. 26.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.5% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 24.4% of failed Toyota Prius MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 13.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Tyres
Recorded in 22.0% of failed Toyota Prius MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 20.0% of failed Toyota Prius MOTs. 8.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 1.1% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 16.7% of failed Toyota Prius MOTs. 5.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.7% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Toyota service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Toyota models
- Toyota Yaris — 80.5% pass rate
- Toyota Aygo — 81.7% pass rate
- Toyota Auris — 81.2% pass rate
- Toyota RAV4 — 83.1% pass rate
- Toyota Corolla — 82.5% pass rate
- Toyota C-HR — 92.0% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Toyota Prius?
- 88.5% of Toyota Prius MOT tests pass, based on 268,624 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Toyota Prius?
- The most common reason the Toyota Prius fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 64.8% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Toyota Prius?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Toyota Prius are lights and electrics; suspension; tyres. 26.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.5% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Toyota Prius?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; tyres; brakes; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Toyota Prius's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Toyota service history guide for how to check and keep one.