Toyota Prius Alpha (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 32 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,511

£209/month

MOT Pass Rate

78%

Average

Road Tax

£325

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1797cc Hybrid

Check Carefully

78% pass rate, £2,511/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft

£4.99

Check a specific Toyota Prius Alpha

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

Hybrid1797cc14 years old32 tests59k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Hybrid, 1797cc)

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

£1,631

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£325

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,511

Per month£209/mo

Per week£48/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.

Reliability Verdict

78% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Toyota brand average of 84%.

78% of MOT tests on Toyota Prius Alphas from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 32 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 59,123 miles.

Got a Toyota Prius Alpha you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models450th of 650(bottom half)

Rank among Toyota models667th of 970(bottom half)

vs average of all models-4%(82% avg)

vs 2012 models average+0%(78% avg)

vs Toyota average-6%(84% avg)

Mileage Analysis

59,123

Average miles

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Toyota Prius Alpha had 59,123 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Looking at a specific Toyota Prius Alpha?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

Toyota Prius Alpha by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2023	88%	34	67,216 mi
2013	86%	42	65,729 mi
2012	78%	32	59,123 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Toyota Auris

2014 · 1779cc Hybrid

£2,361/year

86%

+8%

Toyota Prius

2014 · 1798cc Hybrid

£2,211/year

91%

+13%

Mitsubishi Outlander

2014 · 1998cc Hybrid

£2,361/year

81%

+3%

Lexus CT

2013 · 1798cc Hybrid

£2,361/year

87%

+9%

Check a Specific Toyota Prius Alpha

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 Alpha

The 2012 Toyota Prius Alpha is a family car. Our records list a 1797cc hybrid engine, though engines vary between versions. 32 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2012, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model matches that benchmark.

With an average of 59,123 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Toyota Prius Alpha owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 Toyota Prius Alpha Fuel Costs

The 1797cc 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 2012 Toyota Prius Alpha?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,511 (£209/month), broken down as £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 78% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 2012 Toyota Prius Alpha

At 14 years old, the Toyota Prius Alpha 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. Note: with only 32 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

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 14 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.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 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 out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

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 2012 Toyota Prius Alpha 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 Alpha(2012)	78%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,511
Toyota Auris(2014)	86%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,361-£150
Toyota Prius(2014)	91%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,211-£300
Mitsubishi Outlander(2014)	81%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,361-£150
Lexus CT(2013)	87%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,361-£150

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 2012 Toyota Prius Alpha

Is the 2012 Toyota Prius Alpha reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 78% of MOT tests on 2012 Toyota Prius Alphas ended in a pass, from 32 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 4 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 Toyota Prius Alpha cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,511 a year (£209 a month): £1,631 fuel, £325 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Toyota Prius Alpha?

78% of 32 MOT tests on the 2012 Toyota Prius Alpha ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 450th of 650 models first registered in 2012 (bottom half).

What is the average mileage for a 2012 Toyota Prius Alpha?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Toyota Prius Alpha is 59,123 miles, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.