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Toyota Prius reliability by build year

Coverage 2004-present4 named generationsfamily hatchbackHatchbackUNKNOWN / PETROL / ELECTRICITY / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

Toyota Prius built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Toyota Priuses built around 2018 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Check a Toyota Prius by number plate

Key figure

11% of MOT tests on Toyota Priuses built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Toyota Priuses built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Toyota Prius's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Prius's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Prius Mk5 (XW60)

Mk5 (XW60) (2023-present)

HYBRID ELECTRIC
Too new for MOT figures: first MOTs due from 2026View details →
Prius Mk4 (XW50)

Mk4 (XW50) (2016-2022)

Excellent
PETROLHYBRID ELECTRIC

11.1% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 17,367 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Prius Mk3 (XW30)

Mk3 (XW30) (2009-2015)

Excellent
PETROLUNKNOWNELECTRICITYHYBRID ELECTRIC

18.7% fail rate, built around 2015 (10 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 22.8%)

From 16,286 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Prius Mk2 (XW20)

Mk2 (XW20) (2004-2008)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLUNKNOWNELECTRICITYHYBRID ELECTRIC

27.5% fail rate, built around 2008 (17 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.2%)

From 8,273 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Toyota Prius.

See every build year for the Toyota Prius

Side-by-side

Toyota Prius generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk4 (XW50) (2016-2022)
Excellent
Excellent11.1%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 17,367 MOT tests at this age
Mk3 (XW30) (2009-2015)
Excellent
Excellent18.7%built around 2015 (10 years old)from 16,286 MOT tests at this age
Mk2 (XW20) (2004-2008)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings27.5%built around 2008 (17 years old)from 8,273 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Prius, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Toyota Prius fail rate by age

This chart combines every Toyota Prius ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
2,5096.2%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
5,9559.2%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
16,76910.1%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
17,40010.7%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
17,36711.1%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
18,26912.6%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
18,94416.5%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
16,16218.7%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
10,98719.8%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
10,18421.3%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
8,93223.7%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
8,39725.0%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
10,35025.6%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
6,04227.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
6,91827.6%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
5,73827.9%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
2,94528.8%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
1,71128.0%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
55728.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 19 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Toyota Prius stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Toyota models

1st of 13

Among the lowest fail rates of the 13 Toyota models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the lowest third

Against other hatchbacks

3rd of 84

3rd lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the lowest third

Against the UK average

11.1%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Toyota Priuses

These issues come from 7-year-old Toyota Priuses, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    12.8%
    Advisory: 2,840Fail: 301 (10% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    4.9%
    Advisory: 923Fail: 185 (17% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    4.1%
    Advisory: 820Fail: 160 (16% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    3.6%
    Advisory: 817Fail: 33 (4% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    2.5%
    Advisory: 555Fail: 61 (10% of the times it was found)

Based on 17,367 MOT tests on 7-year-old Toyota Priuses, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Toyota Priuses notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres27%
  2. Suspension + Tyres24%
  3. Brakes + Suspension15%
  4. Other + Tyres13%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 2,340 MOT tests on Toyota Prius cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

94%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

35 recalls in all

25 of the 35 Toyota Prius recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 5 Critical
  • 20 more

Top concerns

  • Incorrectly installed covers could prevent the seat-mounted side airbag from deploying
  • Engine wire harness connected to hybrid vehicle power control unit could contact cover
  • Airbag may incorrectly deploy

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.5%

    No clear edge over the Toyota Prius on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,314 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    No clear edge over the Toyota Prius on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    50,561 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Fiat 500

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.9%

    No clear edge over the Toyota Prius on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    MG 3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.1%

    No clear edge over the Toyota Prius on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    3,383 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Toyota Prius across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has among the lowest fail rates of the 13 Toyota models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 17,367 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Toyota Prius ever sold: 195,493 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 17,367 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.