Toyota Prius MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 159,790 MOT tests on the Toyota Prius carried out in 2023. 21% failed at the first attempt, which is noticeably below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 8 in 10 Priuses passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2001 to 2023. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2002 models did best (70% passed, +12.9 points against the average for 21-year-old cars), while 2023 models fared worst (94%, −4.1 points). Tested cars had covered 125,551 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 11.4% of tests (roughly in line with the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "not working", on 5.1% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 159,790
- First-time pass rate
- 79%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +7.1 points
- Average mileage at test
- 125,551
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular Prius?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
Prius MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 288 | 94% | 98% | −4.1 points | 41,384 |
| 2022 | 434 | 90% | 93% | −2.8 points | 37,142 |
| 2021 | 1,158 | 87% | 91% | −3.9 points | 60,577 |
| 2020 | 8,223 | 85% | 88% | −2.7 points | 50,680 |
| 2019 | 16,949 | 85% | 86% | −0.8 points | 85,719 |
| 2018 | 13,807 | 87% | 84% | +2.9 points | 91,656 |
| 2017 | 15,382 | 87% | 82% | +5.8 points | 94,970 |
| 2016 | 15,530 | 85% | 79% | +6.1 points | 121,510 |
| 2015 | 13,668 | 81% | 75% | +5.0 points | 136,505 |
| 2014 | 11,824 | 79% | 72% | +7.3 points | 141,222 |
| 2013 | 9,933 | 78% | 68% | +9.5 points | 160,096 |
| 2012 | 7,956 | 76% | 66% | +10.3 points | 158,331 |
| 2011 | 7,044 | 70% | 63% | +6.7 points | 170,844 |
| 2010 | 9,551 | 68% | 60% | +7.5 points | 171,252 |
| 2009 | 6,940 | 67% | 59% | +7.8 points | 157,973 |
| 2008 | 6,848 | 67% | 57% | +9.2 points | 151,264 |
| 2007 | 6,784 | 64% | 57% | +7.4 points | 145,763 |
| 2006 | 3,665 | 62% | 56% | +5.3 points | 152,742 |
| 2005 | 2,540 | 62% | 56% | +5.7 points | 153,143 |
| 2004 | 952 | 62% | 56% | +5.9 points | 154,989 |
| 2003 | 155 | 63% | 57% | +6.6 points | 139,821 |
| 2002 | 54 | 70% | 58% | +12.9 points | 125,680 |
| 2001 | 92 | 60% | 59% | +1.1 points | 127,947 |
Why the Toyota Prius fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | Prius | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 11.4% | 11.3% |
| Tyres | 4.8% | 6.3% |
| Suspension | 4.2% | 8.9% |
| Visibility | 3.8% | 4.8% |
| Brakes | 3.5% | 6.8% |
| Body and structure | 1.4% | 3.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.3% | 3.1% |
| Steering | 0.5% | 1.8% |
| Road Wheels | 0.5% | 0.4% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.4% | 1.0% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1not working5.1%
- 2inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.6%
- 3does not clear the windscreen effectively2.3%
- 4tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.0%
- 5ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.6%
- 6less than 1.5 mm thick1.3%
- 7not working on dipped beam1.3%
- 8inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.2%
- 9projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.1%
- 10provides insufficient washer liquid0.9%
Common Prius MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used Prius, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 9.8% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 5.4% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 4.8% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 4.3% |
| excessively corroded | Brakes | 3.1% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 2.6% |
| inscription illegible | Number plates and VIN | 2.5% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 2.3% |
| has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced | Lights and electrics | 2.2% |
| has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 1.8% |
Tips to help your Prius pass
Based on where Priuses most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 11.4% of Prius tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Visibility · 3.8% of Prius tests
Clear the view
Replace wiper blades that smear, fill the washer bottle and get chips in the windscreen repaired early, especially in the area directly in front of the driver.
Compare with other models
Is the Prius ULEZ compliant? See the Toyota Prius ULEZ check, or view all Toyota models.
Other Toyota models
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 159,790 first MOT tests of the Toyota Prius carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 159,790 first MOT tests of the Toyota Prius.
What is the Toyota Prius MOT failure rate?
In our data, 21% of 159,790 first MOT attempts on the Toyota Prius ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Toyota Prius fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (11.4% of tests), tyres (4.8% of tests), suspension (4.2% of tests).
Which Prius year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2002 cars performed best: 70% passed first time, +12.9 points against the average for 21-year-old cars. The weakest was 2023, at 94% (−4.1 points).
How many miles had a typical Toyota Prius covered at its MOT?
The average was 125,551 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2023 cars averaged 41,384 miles and 2001 cars 127,947.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Toyota Prius?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 9.8% of tests, in the tyres area. 4.8% of Priuses failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific Prius's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 159,790 Priuses in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 60% to 94% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
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