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TOYOTA PRIUS Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 13,869 MOT tests from 985 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.

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TOYOTA PRIUS side viewTOYOTA PRIUS (example)
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Check the reliability of your Toyota Prius

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

Toyota Prius side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
Hybrid Electric2020738/999Very good72,383 miles613 vehicles
Hybrid Electric2019747/999Very good75,109 miles2,053 vehicles
Hybrid Electric2018770/999Very good76,808 miles3,789 vehicles
Hybrid Electric2017788/999Very good78,508 miles5,523 vehicles
Hybrid Electric2016779/999Very good79,521 miles6,315 vehicles
Hybrid Electric2015760/999Very good78,402 miles6,354 vehicles
Hybrid Electric2014739/999Very good76,839 miles5,833 vehicles
Hybrid Electric2013724/999Very good76,604 miles5,017 vehicles
Hybrid Electric2011627/999Good78,812 miles2,108 vehicles
Other2011587/999Above average84,637 miles507 vehicles
Electric2010536/999Above average81,395 miles815 vehicles
Hybrid Electric2009606/999Good80,432 miles1,192 vehicles
Other2009562/999Above average77,763 miles587 vehicles
Electric2007528/999Above average79,956 miles843 vehicles

How reliable is the TOYOTA PRIUS?

Based on 13,869 MOT tests from 985 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

985

MOT tests

13,869

Pass rate

80.7%

Median mileage

132,484 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 652 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 1,737 advisory comments and 163 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: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 474 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 327 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 296 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: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 123 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))

Anti-roll bar issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 69 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 wear or damage in the anti-roll bar, its links, or its bushes.

What to inspect

Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT ANTI-ROLL BAR LINKAGE BALL JOINT DUST COVER NO LONGER PREVENTS THE INGRESS OF DIRT (5.3.4 (B) (II))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 69 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 58 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: OFFSIDE 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.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
202551100%No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
20225785.7%No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2021123892.1%Brake pad wear, Tyre wear
20203210492.3%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20193720094%Tyre wear, Suspension bush issues
20183826492.8%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20174127787.7%Tyre wear, Windscreen damage
20166573689.4%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015124173683.1%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
201498121782.7%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
201396124280.5%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
201265110481.1%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
201175123978.1%Tyre wear, Lamp and bulb faults
201081157277.8%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20095089875.9%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20084486177.9%Tyre wear, Registration plate condition
200751108378.6%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
20063064677.2%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20051330573.1%Tyre wear, Registration plate condition
2004715276.3%Tyre wear, Headlamp faults

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.

  • Anti-roll bar issues. Listen for a knock when driving over uneven ground at low speed.

  • 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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