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Toyota Prius Mk2 (XW20) (2004-2008) reliability

At a glance

Toyota Prius Mk2 (XW20) built around 2008: about average at the MOT

Toyota Prius Mk2 (XW20) models built around 2008 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Looking at a Toyota Prius Mk2 (XW20) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

28% of MOT tests on Toyota Prius Mk2 (XW20) models built around 2008 ended in a fail (retests included), against 32% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Toyota Prius Mk2 (XW20) models built around 2008 involves the tyres.

Toyota Prius Mk2 (XW20)
No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2004-2008HatchbackHYBRID ELECTRIC / PETROL / ELECTRICITY / UNKNOWN

Based on 24,548 tests of Prius models registered 2004-2008.

About 1 in 20 Prius Mk2 (XW20) MOTs (4.6%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2008 (17 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 8,273 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 Prius Mk2 (XW20) MOTs (5.6%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2008 (17 years old).

Based on 8,273 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk2 (XW20) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
3,31427.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
8,27327.5%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
6,85927.7%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
3,51929.2%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
2,02828.1%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
55528.1%

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.

How the Prius Mk2 (XW20) compares

At each age below, see how the Prius Mk2 (XW20) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 88,601 tests across 17 Toyota models, built around 2008 (17 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateToyota average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
3,31427.0%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
8,27327.5%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
6,85927.7%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
3,51929.2%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
2,02828.1%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
55528.1%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

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.

Lighting

Worth checking

Inspect the lighting carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

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.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Prius Mk2 (XW20).

  1. 1

    Citroen Xsara

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    34.8%

    No clear edge over the Toyota Prius Mk2 (XW20) on these figures.

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

    3,673 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  2. 2

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    31.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    No clear edge over the Toyota Prius Mk2 (XW20) 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.

    32,332 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  3. 3

    Subaru Impreza

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    10.2%
    Dangerous
    4.1%

    Lower fail rate: 23.7%, against 27.5% for the Toyota Prius Mk2 (XW20), both built around 2008.

    1,727 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  4. 4

    Peugeot 307

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    35.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9.5%
    Dangerous
    8.2%

    No clear edge over the Toyota Prius Mk2 (XW20) on these figures.

    4,714 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

94%of all Toyota Prius cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

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

8 of the 35 Prius Mk2 (XW20) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 Critical
  • 6 more

Top concerns

  • Fuel may leak / risk of fire
  • Curtain shield airbag may deploy unintentionally
  • Vehicle may not enter failsafe driving mode as intended in response to certain hybrid system faults

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

What has gone wrong on Prius Mk2 (XW20) cars built around 2008

The share of hybrid electric cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 265 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
42%
Emissions
31%
Drivetrain
18%
Bodywork
3%
Steering
2%

Wear items

Lighting
52%
Tyres
50%
Brakes
37%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 34% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How Prius Mk2 (XW20) cars have aged

How Prius Mk2 (XW20) cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%30%1315171921Age at MOTBuilt around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 24.7% (5,788 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 25.3% (5,674 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 26.0% (5,447 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 26.9% (5,256 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 27.4% (4,919 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 26.6% (5,829 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 25.5% (5,516 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 27.0% (5,409 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 27.4% (5,118 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 27.3% (4,823 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 27.6% (2,993 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 27.7% (2,808 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 28.3% (2,672 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 27.9% (2,490 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 29.2% (2,288 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 27.7% (2,274 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 26.9% (2,113 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 28.7% (2,043 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 27.5% (1,814 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 27.4% (1,569 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 27.9% (872 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 28.8% (802 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 29.4% (756 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 28.3% (664 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 28.1% (555 tests, 2025 data)2004
First registered around 2008First registered around 2007First registered around 2006First registered around 2005
How each part holds up as Mk2 (XW20) cars age

How each part holds up as Mk2 (XW20) cars age

The share of hybrid electric cars built 2005-2008 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car17 years18 years19 years20 years
Suspension42%52%58%61%
Brakes37%43%45%45%
Emissions31%34%35%37%
Tyres50%55%60%55%
Lighting52%56%63%69%
Drivetrain18%19%20%5%
Bodywork3%3%3%8%
Steering2%2%1%2%
Corrosion34%35%30%44%

Based on hybrid electric cars in the 2005-2008 build-year band, from 106 to 286 cars at each age.

Mk2 (XW20) variants compared

Prius Mk2 (XW20) variants built around 2008

The fail rate for each Prius Mk2 (XW20) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Hybrid electric

  • PRIUS28.5%3,888 tests

Electricity

  • PRIUS25.7%2,042 tests

Unknown fuel

  • PRIUS27.1%1,355 tests

Petrol

  • PRIUS27.8%987 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Toyota Priuses of this age

This list covers every Toyota Prius built around 2008, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk2 (XW20) on its own.

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

    19.6%
    Advisory: 2,046Fail: 179 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    16.7%
    Advisory: 1,816Fail: 37 (2% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Headlamp lens partly covered, but light output not badly reduced

    15.8%
    Advisory: 1,517Fail: 154 (9% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    12.1%
    Advisory: 1,178Fail: 157 (12% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Number plate worn, but not likely to be misread

    11.8%
    Advisory: 1,094Fail: 31 (3% of the times it was found)

Based on 8,273 tests

Looking at a Toyota Prius Mk2 (XW20) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2008 (17 years old), the Toyota Prius Mk2 (XW20) (2004-2008) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 8,273 17-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 24,548 MOT tests on Toyota Priuses first registered between 2004-2008. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.