Toyota Prius common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Toyota Prius at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 159,443 UK MOT tests of the Toyota Prius in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is rear fog lamp (not working): recorded on 4.3% of tests of 2020–2022 cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km), 7.2× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: headlamp (a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output) (4.9×); registration plate lamp(s) (inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps) (3×); position lamp (not working) (3×). The most common reasons a Toyota Prius fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); registration plate lamp(s) (inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Toyota Prius
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Toyota Prius than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rear fog lamp: not working | MOT fail | 2020–2022 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 4.3% | 0.6% | 7.2× | 799 |
| Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output | Advisory | 2008–2010 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 5.9% | 1.2% | 4.9× | 2,543 |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | MOT fail | 2013–2015 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3% | 1% | 3× | 3,892 |
| Position lamp: not working | MOT fail | 2020–2022 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 3% | 1% | 3× | 799 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive | Advisory | 2005–2007 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 6.7% | 3% | 2.2× | 4,891 |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | Advisory | 2009–2011 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 12% | 7.1% | 1.7× | 11,503 |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2006–2008 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 6.8% | 3.9% | 1.7× | 6,415 |
| Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | Advisory | 2020–2022 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 4.5% | 2% | 2.3× | 597 |
Toyota Prius by mileage (2013–2015 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 1,303 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (7.5%) | — |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3,415 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (6.4%) | — |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3,892 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (7.9%) | Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (3%, 3×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 3,207 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (10%) | Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (3.6%, 2.6×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 2,954 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (9.6%) | Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (3.9%, 2.2×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 3,085 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (8.4%) | Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.3%, 2×) |
| 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 3,150 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (8%) | Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.3%, 1.7×) |
| 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 14,190 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (8.4%) | Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.5%, 1.6×) |
Toyota Prius by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 153 | Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (4.1×) |
| 2004 | 947 | Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3.2×) |
| 2005 | 2,533 | Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3.1×) |
| 2006 | 3,652 | Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3.2×) |
| 2007 | 6,761 | Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3.8×) |
| 2008 | 6,820 | Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (4.5×) |
| 2009 | 6,882 | Headlamp: has a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (4.9×) |
| 2010 | 9,472 | Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (1.9×) |
| 2011 | 7,017 | Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (2×) |
| 2012 | 7,926 | Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (2×) |
| 2013 | 9,905 | Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.3×) |
| 2014 | 11,831 | Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3×) |
| 2015 | 13,642 | Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (1.9×) |
| 2016 | 15,534 | Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (1.6×) |
| 2017 | 15,370 | Nothing stands out |
| 2018 | 13,806 | Nothing stands out |
| 2019 | 16,955 | Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (1.7×) |
| 2020 | 8,221 | Position lamp: not working at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (2.2×) |
| 2021 | 1,157 | Rear fog lamp: not working at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (7.2×) |
| 2022 | 430 | Nothing stands out |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Toyota Prius?
In 159,443 UK MOT tests of the Toyota Prius in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is rear fog lamp (not working): recorded on 4.3% of tests of 2020–2022 cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km), 7.2× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: headlamp (a product on the lens but not seriously reducing light output) (4.9×); registration plate lamp(s) (inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps) (3×); position lamp (not working) (3×). The most common reasons a Toyota Prius fails its MOT are position lamp (not working); registration plate lamp(s) (inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively).
Why do Toyota Priuss fail the MOT?
Across 159,443 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Toyota Prius were position lamp (not working) (5.6% of tests); registration plate lamp(s) (inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps) (3.8% of tests); wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (2.4% of tests).
At what mileage do Toyota Prius problems start?
The clearest Toyota Prius-specific issue, rear fog lamp (not working), peaks against other cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) on 2020–2022 cars (4.3% of tests vs 0.6% for all cars that age).
Where does this Toyota Prius data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 159,443 tests of the Toyota Prius. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.