TOYOTA PRIUS (2012)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 13,137 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£2,047
£171/month
MOT Pass Rate
85%
Good
Road Tax
£315
Based on CC/year
Insurance
Grp 18-32
1798cc Petrol
Solid Option
85% pass rate, £2047/year to run. Close to the national average.
Check a specific TOYOTA PRIUS
Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.
Annual Running Costs
~36 mpg
Based on 1798cc
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
Get an insurance quote for this TOYOTA PRIUS
Compare quotes and find the best deal
Reliability Verdict
Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.
At 14 years old, 85% of TOYOTA PRIUSs from 2012 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 13,137 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 157,113 miles.
Got a TOYOTA PRIUS you're looking at?
Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.
How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
157,113
Average miles
103,600
Expected for age
The average 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS has 157,113 miles on the clock, which is well above the expected 103,600 miles for a 14-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.
Looking at a specific TOYOTA PRIUS?
Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.
Best Year to Buy?
The most reliable year is the 2024 model with a 98% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 74%. The 2012 sits between the two at 85%.
TOYOTA PRIUS by Year
| Year | Pass Rate | Tests | Avg Mileage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 98% | 1,796 | 28,546 mi | |
| 2023 | 95% | 790 | 45,159 mi | |
| 2022 | 96% | 1,210 | 45,561 mi | |
| 2021 | 94% | 5,754 | 47,658 mi | |
| 2020 | 93% | 17,502 | 59,107 mi | |
| 2019 | 94% | 32,127 | 85,977 mi | |
| 2018 | 94% | 30,568 | 84,645 mi | |
| 2017 | 93% | 27,059 | 100,387 mi | |
| 2016 | 91% | 25,588 | 125,494 mi | |
| 2015 | 91% | 21,626 | 150,511 mi | |
| 2014 | 91% | 21,629 | 152,232 mi | |
| 2013 | 88% | 16,377 | 142,823 mi | |
| 2012 | 85% | 13,137 | 157,113 mi | |
| 2011 | 83% | 12,235 | 177,140 mi | |
| 2010 | 82% | 16,294 | 178,433 mi | |
| 2009 | 80% | 12,010 | 166,625 mi | |
| 2008 | 79% | 11,632 | 160,577 mi | |
| 2007 | 78% | 11,511 | 154,920 mi | |
| 2006 | 77% | 6,242 | 161,568 mi | |
| 2005 | 78% | 4,176 | 158,308 mi | |
| 2004 | 79% | 1,530 | 160,817 mi | |
| 2003 | 80% | 235 | 145,590 mi | |
| 2002 | 86% | 74 | 127,785 mi | |
| 2001 | 74% | 119 | 134,289 mi |
Similar Cars to Consider
Check a Specific Toyota Prius
Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.
Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.
About the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS
The 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS is a family car with a 1798cc petrol engine. 13,137 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. It ranks in the top 13% of all 2012 cars for reliability.
With an average of 157,113 miles at 14 years old, TOYOTA PRIUS owners cover more miles than the average driver. High-mileage examples should be checked carefully for wear on suspension, brakes, and drivetrain components.
2012 TOYOTA PRIUS Fuel Costs
The 1798cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).
What does it cost to own a 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS?
Total estimated annual running cost is £2,047 (£171/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 85% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.
TOYOTA PRIUS Reliability Trend
Newer TOYOTA PRIUSs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 13 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS
At 14 years old, the TOYOTA PRIUS is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2024 model has the highest pass rate at 98%. With 13,137 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
Rust and Corrosion
Watch outAt 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.
Suspension Bushings
Watch outRubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.
Clutch Wear
Watch outWith an average of 157k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.
Brake Discs and Pads
Medium riskHigh-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.
Engine Mounts
Medium riskWorn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.
Service History
Low riskAlways request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.
Running Costs Compared
How the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.
| Car | Pass Rate | Fuel/yr | Tax/yr | Insurance | Total/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOYOTA PRIUS(2012) | 85% | £1327 | £315 | Grp 18-32 | £2047 |
| TOYOTA PRIUS PLUS(2014) | 91% | £1327 | £135 | Grp 18-32 | £1717-£330 |
| LEXUS CT 200H SE-L CVT(2012) | 88% | £1327 | £135 | Grp 18-32 | £1867-£180 |
| TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID(2014) | 97% | £1327 | £135 | Grp 18-32 | £1717-£330 |
| TOYOTA PRIUS +(2014) | 83% | £1327 | £135 | Grp 18-32 | £1867-£180 |
Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.
Related Toyota Models
Explore other Toyota cars or similar models in the same category.
TOYOTA YARIS
2013 · 1330cc Petrol
TOYOTA AYGO
2015 · 998cc Petrol
TOYOTA C-HR
2018 · 1797cc Hybrid
TOYOTA PRIUS PLUS
2014 · 1797cc Petrol
LEXUS CT 200H SE-L CVT
2012 · 1791cc Petrol
TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID
2014 · 1800cc Petrol
Related Guides
In-depth articles relevant to the Toyota Prius.
Most Reliable Used Cars UK 2026 (Data From 50M Real MOT Tests)
11 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Run in 2026: Real Data from 19.8 Million MOT Tests
9 min read
Reliability20 Most Reliable Used Cars UK 2026: Real MOT Pass Rate Rankings
10 min read
Buying GuideFord Fiesta Common Problems (2026): What to Check Before Buying
13 min read
ReliabilityFord Puma Problems: 7 Issues Owners Report (2026)
13 min read
Check a specific TOYOTA PRIUS
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
Premium History Check
Buying a TOYOTA PRIUS? Our premium check covers:
- Stolen check (PNC)
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous owners count
Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data