Toyota Prius (2018)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 30,568 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,086

£174/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1798cc Hybrid

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £2,086/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Hybrid1798cc8 years old30,568 tests85k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 1798cc)

~36 mpg (petrol-engine estimate; hybrids usually use less)

£1,631

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,086

Per month£174/mo

Per week£40/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Toyota brand average of 84%.

94% of MOT tests on Toyota Priuss from 2018 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 6 years old. That's based on 30,568 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 84,645 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 models111th of 607(top 19%)

Rank among Toyota models179th of 970(top 19%)

vs average of all models+12%(82% avg)

vs 2018 models average+5%(89% avg)

vs Toyota average+10%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

84,645

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2018 Toyota Prius had 84,645 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is well above the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 74%. The 2018 scores 94%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

Mercedes C

2017 · 1991cc Hybrid

£2,236/year

89%

-5%

Toyota Yaris

2018 · 1349cc Hybrid

£1,853/year

91%

-3%

MINI Cooper S

2019 · 1499cc Hybrid

£1,853/year

92%

-2%

Land Rover Range Rover Sport

2019 · 1997cc Hybrid

£2,086/year

94%

same

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About the 2018 Toyota Prius

The 2018 Toyota Prius is a family car. Our records list a 1798cc hybrid engine, though engines vary between versions. 30,568 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. It ranks in the top 19% of all 2018 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 84,645 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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.

2018 Toyota Prius Fuel Costs

The 1798cc hybrid engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Our estimate uses around 36 mpg, the figure for a petrol engine of this size, which works out to roughly £1,631 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). As a hybrid it should use less than that, and real-world fuel costs depend a lot on how much electric-only driving you do.

What does it cost to own a 2018 Toyota Prius?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,086 (£174/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Toyota Prius Reliability Trend

Newer Toyota Priuss pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 12 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2018 Toyota Prius

At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 94%. With 30,568 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

What the 2018 Toyota Prius Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 1,872 MOT tests on the 2018 Toyota Prius that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

Lights and electrics33%
Same age: 27% (fails on this more often)
Tyres32%
Same age: 29%
Suspension23%
Same age: 20%
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors20%
Same age: 16%

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · Toyota Prius reliability, common problems and years to avoid

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Hybrid Battery Health

Watch out

After 8 years, hybrid battery capacity may have reduced. A full replacement costs £2,000-£4,000, though reconditioning is cheaper at £500-£1,500.

Inverter and Power Electronics

Medium risk

The inverter converts DC to AC for the electric motor. Failures are expensive (£1,500+) but relatively rare. Listen for unusual buzzing sounds.

Regenerative Braking

Medium risk

Brake discs can corrode from reduced use (the electric motor handles most braking). Surface rust is normal but deep pitting needs attention.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 85k 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 risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always 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 2018 Toyota Prius stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Toyota Prius(2018)	94%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,086
Mercedes C(2017)	89%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,236+£150
Toyota Yaris(2018)	91%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£1,853-£233
MINI Cooper S(2019)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£233
Land Rover Range Rover Sport(2019)	94%	£1,631	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,086same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2018 Toyota Prius

Is the 2018 Toyota Prius reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of MOT tests on 2018 Toyota Priuss ended in a pass, from 30,568 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2018 Toyota Prius cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,086 a year (£174 a month): £1,631 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 Toyota Prius?

94% of 30,568 MOT tests on the 2018 Toyota Prius ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 111th of 607 models first registered in 2018 (top 19%).

Which year Toyota Prius has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 Toyota Prius has the highest MOT pass rate at 94% and the 2001 the lowest at 74%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2018 Toyota Prius?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2018 Toyota Prius is 84,645 miles, which is well above the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.