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Toyota Prius years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

157,224 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2005–2022 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

All 18 Toyota Prius years have MOT pass rates above the average for vehicles first used in the same year.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

78.6%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 78.4% to 78.8%.

In 2025, 78.6% of the 157,224 initial MOT tests on Toyota Prius cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 71.9%. That is 6.7 points above the same-age average.

In our tables of the highest MOT pass rates by age: joint 15th of 173 cars first used in 2018.

Check a specific Prius

Its own MOT history, free.

Toyota Prius MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2022age 31,68741,40092.4%±1.4+3.9 ptsall: 88.5%
2021age 43,17449,30092.1%±1.0+4.9 ptsall: 87.2%
2020age 510,11357,10089.0%±0.7+3.0 ptsall: 86.0%
2019age 616,89781,90088.1%±0.5+4.6 ptsall: 83.5%
2018age 715,23694,20087.7%±0.6+6.8 ptsall: 80.9%
2017age 815,334110,60086.7%±0.6+8.5 ptsall: 78.2%
2016age 914,609139,10083.8%±0.7+8.9 ptsall: 74.9%
2015age 1013,210167,00078.1%±0.8+6.2 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 1110,723153,70076.4%±0.9+7.8 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 128,173155,80073.2%±1.0+7.4 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 137,829169,20072.1%±1.1+8.6 ptsall: 63.5%
2011age 146,992184,00068.3%±1.2+7.1 ptsall: 61.2%
2010age 159,249177,10067.2%±1.0+7.9 ptsall: 59.3%
2009age 166,573155,20065.2%±1.2+6.9 ptsall: 58.3%
2008age 176,129149,50063.6%±1.3+6.4 ptsall: 57.2%
2007age 186,056148,60063.0%±1.3+5.6 ptsall: 57.4%
2006age 193,162155,80060.7%±1.8+3.7 ptsall: 57.0%
2005age 202,078156,10062.1%±2.2+4.5 ptsall: 57.6%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Does mileage matter?

Toyota Prius first-time pass rates by the mileage at the initial test, all years together, against all vehicles of the same age and mileage.

92.4% of Toyota Prius tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 73.5% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 88.7% and 63.7%.

Miles at the testTestsPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles, same age and mileage
Under 30,0006,76492.4%±0.7+3.7 ptsall: 88.7%
30,000–59,99921,83188.7%±0.5+7.8 ptsall: 80.9%
60,000–89,99923,79883.2%±0.5+11.1 ptsall: 72.1%
90,000–119,99921,37378.7%±0.6+12.3 ptsall: 66.4%
120,000 or more83,18873.5%±0.4+9.8 ptsall: 63.7%

Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Prius tests were above average in every band shown.

Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Toyota Prius tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.

Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. 270 tests (0.2%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count

Common Prius problems at the MOT

Share of the 33,608 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a Prius

Based on the areas where Toyota Prius MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Lights and electrics

    In 52.1% of failed Prius tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  2. Suspension

    In 23.7% of failed Prius tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

  3. Tyres

    In 21.0% of failed Prius tests

    • Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
    • Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
    • Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.

  4. Windscreen, wipers, mirrors

    In 17.1% of failed Prius tests

    • Look for chips and cracks in the windscreen, especially in front of the driver.
    • Run the wipers and washers. The blades should clear the screen without smearing.
    • Check both door mirrors and the rear-view mirror are intact and adjust.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a Prius's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Toyota Prius cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Toyota Prius cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 7.1% failed on tyres, against 4.1% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 9,461 and 44,562 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory7.1%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted4.1%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 25.3% of those with a tyre advisory and 33.6% of the others.

Brakes

Of Toyota Prius cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 7.8% failed on brakes, against 3.7% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 8,166 and 45,685 cars.

  • With a brake advisory7.8%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted3.7%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 22.6% of those with a brake advisory and 33.8% of the others.

Suspension

Of Toyota Prius cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 9.7% failed on suspension, against 6.5% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 5,887 and 45,702 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory9.7%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted6.5%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 21.3% of those with a suspension advisory and 33.6% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this outAll models compared, with the data

Toyota Prius questions

Which Toyota Prius years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2005–2022. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Toyota Prius reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 78.6% of initial MOT tests on Toyota Prius cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 71.9%. That is 6.7 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Toyota Prius problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 52.1% of failed tests), suspension (in 23.7% of failed tests) and tyres (in 21.0% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Toyota Prius?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Toyota Prius cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 167,000 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific Prius's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Toyota Prius

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Toyota models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 17 Toyota modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Toyota Prius cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count