Common Toyota Prius Problems, Faults, and Repair Costs
Every known Toyota Prius MOT issue, ranked by how common it is and what it costs to fix. Based on 291,221 real MOT tests across 24 model years.
Segment: family car | Fuel: Hybrid Electric (Clean)
89%
Toyota Prius pass rate
84%
Toyota average
82%
National average
The Toyota Prius has an average MOT pass rate of 89%, which is 5 points above the Toyota average and 7 points above the national average. Newer TOYOTA PRIUSs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 13 percentage points.
Check Your Toyota Prius's MOT History
Enter your reg plate to see the specific issues found on your car, plus a health score and running cost estimate.
Most Common Toyota Prius MOT Issues
Ranked by how likely they are to affect your Toyota Prius, with typical repair costs
Brakes
High likelihood£80 - £450
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Brake discs worn, brake pads thin, handbrake adjustment needed
Failure points:
Brake disc excessively worn, brake pipe corroded, brake efficiency below minimum
Suspension
High likelihood£150 - £600
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Suspension arm bush worn, shock absorber misting, spring corroded
Failure points:
Coil spring broken, ball joint excessive play, shock absorber leaking
Lights
High likelihood£15 - £200
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Headlamp aim slightly out, lens deteriorated
Failure points:
Headlamp not working, brake light not functioning, indicator failure
Exhaust & Emissions
High likelihood£80 - £800
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Exhaust mounting corroded, slight exhaust leak
Failure points:
Exhaust emissions exceed limits, catalytic converter efficiency low, DPF warning
Steering
High likelihood£100 - £500
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Track rod end has slight play, steering rack boot deteriorated
Failure points:
Steering rack leaking, track rod ball joint worn beyond limits
Body & Structure
High likelihood£200 - £1200
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Surface corrosion on subframe, slight body panel damage
Failure points:
Structural corrosion, body mounting corroded through, chassis weakness
Tyres
Moderate likelihood£50 - £300
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Tyre approaching legal limit, slight damage to sidewall
Failure points:
Tyre below minimum tread depth, tyre has a cut exposing ply
Windscreen & Wipers
Lower likelihood£10 - £350
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Minor windscreen chip, wiper blade deteriorated
Failure points:
Windscreen crack in swept area, wiper does not clear windscreen
Is your specific car affected?
Enter your reg plate to check your car's individual MOT history, health score, and flag any issues.
Premium check (£4.99) includes stolen, finance, and write-off verification.
Toyota Prius Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, based on real test data
| Year | Fuel | Engine | Pass Rate | Fail Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.8L | 98% | 2% |
| 2023 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.8L | 95% | 5% |
| 2022 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.8L | 96% | 4% |
| 2021 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.8L | 94% | 6% |
| 2020 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.8L | 93% | 7% |
| 2019 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.8L | 94% | 6% |
| 2018 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.8L | 94% | 5% |
| 2017 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.8L | 93% | 7% |
| 2016 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.8L | 91% | 8% |
| 2015 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.8L | 91% | 9% |
| 2014 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.8L | 91% | 8% |
| 2013 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.8L | 88% | 11% |
| 2012 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.8L | 85% | 14% |
| 2011 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.8L | 83% | 16% |
| 2010 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 0.0L | 82% | 17% |
| 2009 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.5L | 80% | 19% |
| 2008 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.5L | 79% | 20% |
| 2007 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.5L | 78% | 20% |
| 2006 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.5L | 77% | 22% |
| 2005 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.5L | 78% | 20% |
| 2004 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.5L | 79% | 20% |
| 2003 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.5L | 80% | 20% |
| 2002 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.5L | 86% | 14% |
| 2001 | Hybrid Electric (Clean) | 1.5L | 74% | 24% |
Toyota Prius Running Costs
Want to know the full annual running costs for the Toyota Prius? Including fuel, tax, insurance, and predicted repairs based on MOT history.
View Toyota Prius Running CostsSave Money on Your Toyota Prius
Exclusive deals and services picked for your Toyota Prius
Compare car insurance
Could save you £200+ on insurance
Get quotes from top UK insurers in minutes
Compare quotes →Compare prices in 60 seconds
🚗Breakdown cover
Cover from under £4/month
RAC, AA, and Green Flag deals compared
Compare cover →Instant online quotes
✅Extended warranty
Plans from £15/month
Protect against unexpected repair bills
Get a quote →Cover starts immediately
🔧Book an MOT
Save up to 50% vs dealerships
Find the cheapest MOT near you
Find garages →Book online in minutes
Toyota Prius FAQ
What are the most common Toyota Prius problems?
The most common Toyota Prius MOT problems are brakes, suspension, lights, exhaust & emissions, steering, body & structure issues. These are the areas most likely to cause advisories or failures during an MOT test, based on 291,221 real tests.
Is the Toyota Prius reliable?
The Toyota Prius has an average MOT pass rate of 89%, which is 7 points above the national average of 82%. This is considered good reliability.
Which year Toyota Prius is most reliable?
The 2024 Toyota Prius is the most reliable year with a 98% MOT pass rate. Avoid the 2001 model year if reliability is your priority, as it has the lowest pass rate at 74%.
How much does it cost to fix common Toyota Prius faults?
Repair costs vary by issue. Brake work on a Toyota Prius typically costs £80-£450, suspension repairs cost £150-£600, and exhaust/emissions fixes cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
Check a Specific Toyota Prius
Enter any reg plate to see the exact MOT history, defects found, health score, and running cost estimate for that specific car.
Other Toyota Models
Common problems pages for other Toyota models