TOYOTA PRIUS Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 5,273 MOT tests from 352 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every TOYOTA PRIUS has the same fault.

TOYOTA PRIUS's have a very good reliability rating of 678/999. The score was calculated from the average of every TOYOTA PRIUS that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the TOYOTA PRIUS.

TOYOTA PRIUS (example)

Check a Toyota Prius before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

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Past & current MOT data
Write-off check
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Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	788/999Very good	78,508 miles	5,523 vehicles
N/A	N/A	779/999Very good	79,521 miles	6,315 vehicles
N/A	N/A	770/999Very good	76,808 miles	3,789 vehicles
N/A	N/A	760/999Very good	78,402 miles	6,354 vehicles
N/A	N/A	747/999Very good	75,109 miles	2,053 vehicles
N/A	N/A	739/999Very good	76,839 miles	5,833 vehicles
N/A	N/A	738/999Very good	72,383 miles	613 vehicles
N/A	N/A	724/999Very good	76,604 miles	5,017 vehicles
N/A	N/A	627/999Good	78,812 miles	2,108 vehicles
N/A	N/A	606/999Good	80,432 miles	1,192 vehicles
N/A	N/A	587/999Above average	84,637 miles	507 vehicles
N/A	N/A	562/999Above average	77,763 miles	587 vehicles
N/A	N/A	536/999Above average	81,395 miles	815 vehicles
N/A	N/A	528/999Above average	79,956 miles	843 vehicles

How reliable is the TOYOTA PRIUS?

Based on 5,273 MOT tests from 352 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

352

MOT tests

5,273

Pass rate

80.2%

Median mileage

152,873 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every TOYOTA PRIUS has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 630 out of 999.

Common TOYOTA PRIUS MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 654 advisory comments and 51 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 157 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Registration plate condition

VehicleScore MOT data includes 132 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a number plate that was deteriorated, insecure, or did not meet the plate rules.

What to inspect

Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.

Example MOT wording: FRONT REGISTRATION PLATE DETERIORATED BUT NOT LIKELY TO BE MISREAD (0.1 (B))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 130 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 84 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 44 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 26 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 24 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS A SERIOUS FLUID LEAK (5.3.2 (B))

TOYOTA PRIUS MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2020	8	27	92.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2019	15	80	93.8%	Tyre wear
2018	9	55	92.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	16	118	91.5%	Tyre wear, Steering rack issues
2016	21	263	89%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015	54	796	81.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	36	452	83%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2013	28	443	80.1%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2012	30	574	81%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2011	33	589	78.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2010	29	554	76.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2009	16	265	77.4%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2008	16	327	79.2%	Tyre wear, Registration plate condition
2007	14	311	73%	Brake disc wear, Tyre wear
2006	9	192	78.6%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2005	5	129	70.5%	Registration plate condition, Tyre wear

What to check when buying a used TOYOTA PRIUS

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Registration plate condition. Check both plates are secure, clean, and clearly readable.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.
Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Buying a TOYOTA PRIUS?

Common problems tell you what can affect TOYOTA PRIUSs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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