Toyota Prius reliability: what 479k MOT tests show
Across 478,603 MOT tests on Toyota Prius cars first used between 2004 and 2023, 78.4% passed first time. The figure for all cars is 71.7%. Allowing for age, the Prius beats a typical car tested at the same age by 6 points. That is the fairer test, and it puts the model well above average. At its first MOT, at three years old, 87% of Priuss pass; the national figure for three-year-old cars is 87.9%. When a Prius does fail, a number plate light not working is the item recorded most often.
What fails a Toyota Prius at its MOT
A number plate light not working is recorded on 13.4% of failed Toyota Prius tests, followed by a sidelight not working at 10.5% and wipers not clearing the screen at 10.1%. Percentages can add to more than 100 because one failed test often records several defects.
Lights are the cheapest category to fail on and the easiest to prevent: walk round the car with every lamp on before you go.
What testers flag before it fails
An advisory is the tester telling you what fails next year. On the Prius the usual suspects are tyre tread below the legal minimum (10.5% of tests) and worn brake discs (5.8%). How often each category of advisory turns into a failure is measured across the whole dataset.
Every Prius year, 2004 to 2023
Between 2004 (60.6%) and 2023 (91.7%) the pass rate moves mostly with age. Among years with a decent sample, 2021 is the strongest at 90.6% and 2006 the weakest at 61.3%.
| First used | Pass rate | Tests | Miles a year | First MOT pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Prius 2023 | 91.7% | 1,231 | 39,018 | – |
| Toyota Prius 2022 | 91.6% | 2,829 | 22,239 | 92.4% |
| Toyota Prius 2021 | 90.6% | 6,628 | 18,278 | 90.5% |
| Toyota Prius 2020 | 87.5% | 26,544 | 15,247 | 84.9% |
| Toyota Prius 2019 | 87.1% | 49,589 | 18,487 | – |
| Toyota Prius 2018 | 87.7% | 43,499 | 16,446 | – |
| Toyota Prius 2017 | 87% | 45,926 | 15,583 | – |
| Toyota Prius 2016 | 84.2% | 45,420 | 16,877 | – |
| Toyota Prius 2015 | 78.9% | 41,209 | 17,292 | – |
| Toyota Prius 2014 | 77.5% | 37,192 | 15,442 | – |
| Toyota Prius 2013 | 75.1% | 27,302 | 14,676 | – |
| Toyota Prius 2012 | 73.4% | 24,003 | 13,819 | – |
| Toyota Prius 2011 | 68.9% | 21,036 | 13,820 | – |
| Toyota Prius 2010 | 67.4% | 27,977 | 12,768 | – |
| Toyota Prius 2009 | 65.9% | 20,095 | 10,978 | – |
| Toyota Prius 2008 | 64.6% | 19,335 | 9,812 | – |
| Toyota Prius 2007 | 63.4% | 19,138 | 8,895 | – |
| Toyota Prius 2006 | 61.3% | 10,215 | 8,755 | – |
| Toyota Prius 2005 | 62.4% | 6,893 | 8,259 | – |
| Toyota Prius 2004 | 60.6% | 2,542 | 7,912 | – |
How mileage changes the Prius's odds
On the 2019 cars, a Prius under 40,000 miles passes 91% of the time; one over 100,000 passes 83.1%. When comparing two used Priuss, the odometer tells you more than the year.
| Mileage at test (2019 cars) | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 91% | 10,760 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 90.3% | 7,770 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 88.4% | 6,250 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 87.8% | 5,624 |
| Over 100,000 | 83.1% | 19,176 |
Compared with other cars
Set against the rest of the Toyota range, which averages 74.5%, the Prius at 78.4% is above par. Within the family, see Toyota Yaris MOT pass rate (72.5%), how the Aygo does (75.9%), RAV4 common problems (77%) and how the Corolla does (75.5%), or the Toyota range at the MOT. Buyers weighing a Prius against other cars of similar popularity often compare it with the Renault Captur (77.6%) and Ford Ka (67.1%). The reliability index for all makes and models puts them side by side, and the UK pass rates by age and fuel give the baseline.
Year by year
Each year opens to show its own failure list and pass rate by mileage.
Toyota Prius 2023 91.7% pass 1,231 tests
On a 2023 Toyota Prius, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 24.5% of failed tests, with a split ball joint dust cover next at 9.8%.
2023 cars pass 94.5% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 90.9% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 94.5% | 510 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 90.5% | 305 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 90.8% | 207 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 85.6% | 132 |
| Over 100,000 | 90.9% | 77 |
Toyota Prius 2022 91.6% pass 2,829 tests92.4% at first MOT
On a 2022 Toyota Prius, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 19% of failed tests, with wipers not clearing the screen next at 13.5%.
2022 cars pass 93.6% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 84.2% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 93.6% | 1,366 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 91.8% | 659 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 89.8% | 362 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 90% | 200 |
| Over 100,000 | 84.2% | 240 |
Toyota Prius 2021 90.6% pass 6,628 tests90.5% at first MOT
On a 2021 Toyota Prius, wipers not clearing the screen appears on 14.5% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 14.5%.
2021 cars pass 94.2% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 82.5% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 94.2% | 2,687 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 90.5% | 1,574 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 89.9% | 951 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 87.2% | 578 |
| Over 100,000 | 82.5% | 838 |
Toyota Prius 2020 87.5% pass 26,544 tests84.9% at first MOT
On a 2020 Toyota Prius, wipers not clearing the screen appears on 17% of failed tests, with a number plate light not working next at 12.7%.
2020 cars pass 90.8% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 80.1% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 90.8% | 10,733 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 89.7% | 5,411 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 86.9% | 3,410 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 82.3% | 2,334 |
| Over 100,000 | 80.1% | 4,656 |
Toyota Prius 2019 87.1% pass 49,589 tests
On a 2019 Toyota Prius, a number plate light not working appears on 15.1% of failed tests, with wipers not clearing the screen next at 14.3%.
2019 cars pass 91% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 83.1% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 91% | 10,760 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 90.3% | 7,770 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 88.4% | 6,250 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 87.8% | 5,624 |
| Over 100,000 | 83.1% | 19,176 |
Toyota Prius 2018 87.7% pass 43,499 tests
On a 2018 Toyota Prius, wipers not clearing the screen appears on 16.6% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 13.3%.
2018 cars pass 91.5% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 84.9% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 91.5% | 7,132 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 90.4% | 7,531 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 88.5% | 5,795 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 87.6% | 4,970 |
| Over 100,000 | 84.9% | 18,062 |
Toyota Prius 2017 87% pass 45,926 tests
On a 2017 Toyota Prius, wipers not clearing the screen appears on 16.5% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 14.3%.
2017 cars pass 90.9% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 84.8% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 90.9% | 5,822 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 88.6% | 7,326 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 88.2% | 6,262 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 87.7% | 5,142 |
| Over 100,000 | 84.8% | 21,354 |
Toyota Prius 2016 84.2% pass 45,420 tests
On a 2016 Toyota Prius, wipers not clearing the screen appears on 13.4% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 12.5%.
2016 cars pass 89.3% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 82.3% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 89.3% | 3,691 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 87.6% | 5,197 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 86.1% | 4,787 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 85.4% | 4,288 |
| Over 100,000 | 82.3% | 27,441 |
Toyota Prius 2015 78.9% pass 41,209 tests
On a 2015 Toyota Prius, a number plate light not working appears on 18.4% of failed tests, with a sidelight not working next at 16.1%.
2015 cars pass 83.3% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 77% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 83.3% | 1,479 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 86.8% | 3,203 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 83.2% | 3,737 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 80.9% | 3,552 |
| Over 100,000 | 77% | 29,214 |
Toyota Prius 2014 77.5% pass 37,192 tests
On a 2014 Toyota Prius, a number plate light not working appears on 18.3% of failed tests, with a sidelight not working next at 16.1%.
2014 cars pass 85.7% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 76.2% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 85.7% | 1,064 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 83.1% | 2,614 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 80.2% | 3,537 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 78.3% | 3,447 |
| Over 100,000 | 76.2% | 26,524 |
Toyota Prius 2013 75.1% pass 27,302 tests
On a 2013 Toyota Prius, a number plate light not working appears on 15.9% of failed tests, with a sidelight not working next at 15.6%.
2013 cars pass 84.1% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 73% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 84.1% | 866 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 81.8% | 2,185 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 80.1% | 2,856 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 76.8% | 2,373 |
| Over 100,000 | 73% | 19,015 |
Toyota Prius 2012 73.4% pass 24,003 tests
On a 2012 Toyota Prius, a sidelight not working appears on 15.8% of failed tests, with a number plate light not working next at 15.1%.
2012 cars pass 84.4% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 70.7% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 84.4% | 684 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 81.6% | 1,803 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 79.4% | 2,604 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 76.5% | 2,272 |
| Over 100,000 | 70.7% | 16,631 |
Toyota Prius 2011 68.9% pass 21,036 tests
On a 2011 Toyota Prius, a sidelight not working appears on 25.7% of failed tests, with a number plate light not working next at 13.8%.
2011 cars pass 79.9% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 66.5% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 79.9% | 383 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 80.1% | 1,030 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 76.6% | 1,798 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 73.4% | 1,881 |
| Over 100,000 | 66.5% | 15,939 |
Toyota Prius 2010 67.4% pass 27,977 tests
On a 2010 Toyota Prius, a sidelight not working appears on 25.3% of failed tests, with a number plate light not working next at 13.5%.
2010 cars pass 81.5% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 65.4% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 81.5% | 455 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 81% | 1,093 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 74.7% | 2,049 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 70.4% | 2,454 |
| Over 100,000 | 65.4% | 21,900 |
Toyota Prius 2009 65.9% pass 20,095 tests
On a 2009 Toyota Prius, a sidelight not working appears on 23.2% of failed tests, with a number plate light not working next at 10.7%.
2009 cars pass 81.8% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 63.2% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 81.8% | 363 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 79.4% | 888 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 73.8% | 1,711 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 70.7% | 2,033 |
| Over 100,000 | 63.2% | 15,079 |
Toyota Prius 2008 64.6% pass 19,335 tests
On a 2008 Toyota Prius, a sidelight not working appears on 20.4% of failed tests, with a dashboard warning light next at 14.3%.
2008 cars pass 75.5% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 62.2% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 75.5% | 196 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 76.6% | 607 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 73.9% | 1,297 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 72.1% | 2,134 |
| Over 100,000 | 62.2% | 15,085 |
Toyota Prius 2007 63.4% pass 19,138 tests
On a 2007 Toyota Prius, a sidelight not working appears on 21.5% of failed tests, with a dashboard warning light next at 14.8%.
2007 cars pass 77% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 61% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 77% | 248 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 76.8% | 531 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 73.5% | 1,194 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 69.7% | 2,024 |
| Over 100,000 | 61% | 15,126 |
Toyota Prius 2006 61.3% pass 10,215 tests
On a 2006 Toyota Prius, a sidelight not working appears on 21.6% of failed tests, with a dashboard warning light next at 15.9%.
2006 cars pass 78.7% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 59.7% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 78.7% | 89 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 76.1% | 222 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 72.3% | 541 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 64.2% | 877 |
| Over 100,000 | 59.7% | 8,476 |
Toyota Prius 2005 62.4% pass 6,893 tests
On a 2005 Toyota Prius, a sidelight not working appears on 24.2% of failed tests, with a dashboard warning light next at 15.1%.
2005 cars pass 81% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 61% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 81% | 42 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 71% | 145 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 74.1% | 317 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 67.1% | 595 |
| Over 100,000 | 61% | 5,787 |
Toyota Prius 2004 60.6% pass 2,542 tests
On a 2004 Toyota Prius, a sidelight not working appears on 23.8% of failed tests, with a dashboard warning light next at 13.5%.
2004 cars pass 63.6% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 58.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 63.6% | 22 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 75.4% | 61 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 78.1% | 96 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 69.8% | 192 |
| Over 100,000 | 58.6% | 2,167 |
Questions people ask
Is the Toyota Prius reliable?
On MOT evidence the Toyota Prius is well above average. It passes 78.4% of tests against 71.7% for all cars, and beats cars of the same age by 6 points. 87% pass their first MOT at three years old. Figures from 478,603 DVSA tests.
What are the most common Toyota Prius MOT failures?
A number plate light not working (13.4% of failed tests), a sidelight not working (10.5%) and wipers not clearing the screen (10.1%). Lights are the cheapest category to fail on and the easiest to prevent: walk round the car with every lamp on before you go.
Which Toyota Prius year is the most reliable?
Among years with a large sample, 2021 cars have the highest pass rate at 90.6% and 2006 cars the lowest at 61.3%. Newer years pass more because they are younger, so compare a specific car's year against the table above rather than against the overall figure.
What advisories does a Toyota Prius usually get?
Tyre tread below the legal minimum is the most frequent, noted on 10.5% of all Prius tests, then worn brake discs (5.8%). An advisory passes the car today but marks the item most likely to fail next year.
How many miles a year does a Toyota Prius do?
About 14,971 miles a year on average, calculated from the odometer readings recorded at consecutive MOTs. That is above the UK average of roughly 7,400, which is typical of a car bought for commuting or work.
How do I check a particular Toyota Prius?
The figures describe the whole fleet. For one car, enter its registration in the free MOT check to see its own test history, advisories and mileage, set against these averages for its year.
Looking at a specific Toyota Prius?
Enter the registration to see its own MOT history, advisories and mileage set against these figures, including whether it has done more or fewer than the 14,971 miles a year typical of the model.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 to 2025. Class 4 cars, normal tests only; a pass after rectification counts as an initial failure. Age-adjusted figures compare the model's pass rate at each age with the national rate at the same age. Methodology.