Toyota Prius: what fails at MOT
243,000 MOT tests on the Toyota Prius in 2024, counted. 19.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
19.7% of Toyota Prius tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 24.8%, so the Prius does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (7% of tests), suspension (3% of tests) and tyres (2.9% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,218 | 8.5% | 10.9% | 36,100 20,800 to 55,500 |
| 2020 | 15,378 | 11.2% | 11.5% | 44,600 27,500 to 73,800 |
| 2019 | 29,112 | 11.7% | 13.4% | 66,500 37,900 to 126,000 |
| 2018 | 27,536 | 10.2% | 15.6% | 61,500 40,500 to 115,100 |
| 2017 | 23,716 | 12.1% | 18.2% | 78,600 48,800 to 135,400 |
| 2016 | 21,760 | 14.8% | 21.3% | 105,900 58,600 to 176,500 |
| 2015 | 18,440 | 20.4% | 24.4% | 140,800 83,800 to 204,900 |
| 2014 | 18,868 | 20.5% | 27.7% | 143,700 91,700 to 199,500 |
| 2013 | 13,682 | 21.9% | 30.6% | 129,400 68,500 to 202,600 |
| 2012 | 10,602 | 25.3% | 33.4% | 138,400 76,300 to 223,300 |
| 2011 | 9,811 | 30.5% | 36.1% | 170,300 95,700 to 241,900 |
| 2010 | 13,087 | 31.7% | 38.6% | 168,800 104,500 to 238,300 |
| 2009 | 9,248 | 33.5% | 39.8% | 151,700 99,900 to 219,200 |
| 2008 | 8,857 | 35.9% | 41.5% | 146,600 105,600 to 202,000 |
| 2007 | 8,744 | 36.6% | 41.5% | 143,700 107,100 to 188,800 |
| 2006 | 4,640 | 38.2% | 42.4% | 152,700 116,200 to 193,200 |
| 2005 | 3,225 | 36.2% | 42.2% | 151,100 114,600 to 192,600 |
| 2004 | 1,189 | 41.6% | 42.3% | 153,600 122,500 to 193,500 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Toyota Prius tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Prius | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 7.0% | 6.5% | |
| Suspension | 3.0% | 5.2% | Less than most |
| Tyres | 2.9% | 4.1% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.4% | 2.8% | |
| Brakes | 2.2% | 4.0% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 1.0% | 1.9% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 0.9% | 1.8% | Less than most |
| Steering | 0.4% | 1.1% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Side light2.2%
- Number plate light2.1%
- Headlamp1.7%
- Tyre1.5%
- Wipers1.5%
- Tyre tread1.5%
- Headlamp aim1.4%
- Rear fog light0.9%
- Brake pads0.9%
- Washers0.9%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Side light: not working2.1%
- Number plate light: inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.6%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.3%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.8%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.8%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam0.8%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.8%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect0.7%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.6%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge7.9%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.5%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.0%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.9%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material2.2%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement1.9%
- Number plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread1.8%
- Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output1.6%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a Toyota Prius's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.