TOYOTA PRIUS (2021)
Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 5,754 real MOT tests.
Annual Cost
£1,777
£148/month
MOT Pass Rate
94%
Excellent
Road Tax
£195
Flat rate/year
Insurance
Grp 18-32
1797cc Petrol
Great Choice
94% pass rate, £1777/year to run. 12 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~36 mpg
Flat rate (post-2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.
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Reliability Verdict
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the TOYOTA brand average of 84%.
At 5 years old, 94% of TOYOTA PRIUSs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 5,754 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 47,658 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
47,658
Average miles
37,000
Expected for age
The average 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS has 47,658 miles on the clock, which is above the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.
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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 2021 sits between the two at 94%.
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
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About the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS
The 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS is a family car with a 1797cc petrol engine. 5,754 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.
With an average of 47,658 miles at 5 years old, TOYOTA PRIUS owners cover more miles than the average driver.
2021 TOYOTA PRIUS Fuel Costs
The 1797cc 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 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,777 (£148/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £195 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 show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 13 percentage points.
Buying a Used 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS
At 5 years old, the TOYOTA PRIUS offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2024 model has the highest pass rate at 98%. With 5,754 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.
Common Issues to Watch For
Based on the 2021 TOYOTA PRIUS's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.
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 2021 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(2021) | 94% | £1327 | £195 | Grp 18-32 | £1777 |
| TOYOTA YARIS DESIGN HEV CVT(2021) | 96% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£195 |
| TOYOTA COROLLA ICON TECH HEV CVT(2021) | 94% | £1327 | £190 | Grp 18-32 | £1772-£5 |
| TOYOTA YARIS ICON HEV CVT(2021) | 95% | £1137 | £190 | Grp 12-25 | £1582-£195 |
| TOYOTA COROLLA DESIGN HEV CVT(2021) | 94% | £1327 | £190 | Grp 18-32 | £1772-£5 |
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
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TOYOTA COROLLA ICON TECH HEV CVT
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