2006 Toyota Prius hybrid: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the hybrid Toyota Prius first registered in 2006 (hybrid cars only): we looked at the 3,698 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Toyota Prius hybrid?
Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Toyota Prius hybrid than on all cars registered in 2006.
- Headlights1.9× usualToyota Prius23.1% All 2006 cars12%
Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 4.8% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £40–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.
- Engine warning light2.1× usualToyota Prius5.6% All 2006 cars2.7%
Failed outright at MOT: 5.6%, against 2.7% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
- Steering swivel joints2.1× usualToyota Prius2.3% All 2006 cars1.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.2% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Engine oil leaks: 2.3% here, against 11.5% of all 2006 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 5% here, against 10.2% of all 2006 cars.
Common 2006 Toyota Prius hybrid MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2006 Toyota Prius hybrid MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Lights and electrics41% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Suspension36% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Brakes32% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Tyres30% of testsRough price £70–£150
At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Driveshafts and joints9% of testsRough price £60–£350
At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.
- Rust and bodywork9% of testsRough price £150–£1,000
At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
Known faults on the 2006 Toyota Prius hybrid
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- All versions
Stalling software recall
Mainly in the USA, some cars stalled and wouldn't restart because of faulty engine software. Toyota recalled the affected cars and fixed it.
At the viewing: Run the free DVSA recall check on the reg.
- All versions
Brake light recall
UK cars were recalled because the rear brake light could malfunction.
At the viewing: Have someone check the brake lights work.
- All versions
Ex-fleet wear
Many were council or company pool cars and may not have been well maintained.
At the viewing: Check the service history and the V5C for fleet ownership.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 Toyota Prius hybrid
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2006 Toyota Prius hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2006 Toyota Prius hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
- Any recent work on the steering swivel joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2006 Toyota Prius hybrid as on other cars the same age.)
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Toyota Prius?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Toyota Prius compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2025 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | 1,232 | Tyres 16% |
| 2022 | 2,834 | Tyres 16% |
| 2021 | 6,606 | Tyres 15% |
| 2020 | 26,304 | Tyres 18% |
| 2019 | 47,795 | Tyres 16% |
| 2018 | 42,725 | Tyres 16% |
| 2017 | 45,148 | Tyres 17% |
| 2016 | 43,989 | Tyres 18% |
| 2015 | 40,082 | Tyres 17% |
| 2014 | 35,918 | Tyres 20% |
| 2013 | 26,198 | Lights and electrics 22% |
| 2012 | 23,311 | Lights and electrics 24% |
| 2011 | 21,036 | Lights and electrics 31% |
| 2010 | 28,189 | Lights and electrics 33% |
| 2009 | 20,260 | Lights and electrics 35% |
| 2008 | 19,495 | Lights and electrics 39% |
| 2007 | 19,325 | Lights and electrics 40% |
| 2005 | 6,989 | Lights and electrics 44% |
| 2004 | 2,573 | Lights and electrics 47% |
| 2003 | 406 | Suspension 46% |
| 2002 | 129 | Suspension 46% |
| 2001 | 227 | Suspension 42% |
| 2000 | – | Too few tests |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Toyota Prius cars first registered in 2006. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score