Used car guide · 2009–2016

Toyota Prius Mk3: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How each year of the Toyota Prius Mk3 did at the MOTs done during 2023–2025, compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 238,983 MOT tests.

2012best year: 73% pass first time, 9 points above all 2012 cars
2015weakest year: 79% pass first time, 5 points above all 2015 cars
Headlightsthe weak spot that shows up in 5 different years

Which Toyota Prius Mk3 years are best and worst at their MOT?

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Toyota Prius Mk3, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

40%70%100%2009: 66% pass first time (all 2009 cars: 59%) 66% 2009*2010: 67% pass first time (all 2010 cars: 60%) 67% 20102011: 69% pass first time (all 2011 cars: 62%) 69% 20112012: 73% pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%) 73% 20122013: 75% pass first time (all 2013 cars: 67%) 75% 20132014: 77% pass first time (all 2014 cars: 70%) 77% 20142015: 79% pass first time (all 2015 cars: 74%) 79% 20152016: 84% pass first time (all 2016 cars: 77%) 84% 2016*
This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation
YearPass first timeAll cars that yearStands outMOT tests
2009*66%59% +7Headlights 2.3× usual20,260
201067%60% +7Headlights 2.3× usual28,189
201169%62% +7Headlights 2.5× usual21,036
201273%64% +9Headlights 1.7× usual23,311
201375%67% +8Number plate lights 1.7× usual26,198
201477%70% +7Number plate lights 1.9× usual35,918
201579%74% +5Number plate lights 2.2× usual40,082
2016*84%77% +7Link ball joint covers 4.6× usual43,989

Common Toyota Prius Mk3 MOT failures, year after year

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.

  • Headlightsup to 2.5× usual

    Stands out in 5 years: 2015, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Rear fog lightup to 6× usual

    Stands out in 4 years: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Link ball joint coversup to 3.1× usual

    Stands out in 4 years: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Number plate lightsup to 2.2× usual

    Stands out in 3 years: 2015, 2014, 2013.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Rigid brake pipesup to 2.2× usual

    Stands out in 2 years: 2011, 2010.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

What usually goes wrong with the Toyota Prius Mk3?

From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.

  • Oil use and head gasket (1.8 petrol)

    Some owners treat the Prius like an electric car and forget the oil and coolant. Low oil can wreck the engine, and a failing head gasket can go unnoticed.

    Check: Check the oil on the dipstick and the coolant level, and look for regular servicing.

    Source: Parkers: used Toyota Prius 2009-2015 review

  • Hybrid battery age

    A new hybrid battery from Toyota is expensive. Reconditioned packs from established UK firms are cheaper.

    Check: Ask whether the hybrid battery has been replaced and by whom.

    Source: Parkers: used Toyota Prius 2009-2015 review

  • Air-con compressor

    The air-con compressor has its own electric motor that can wear out, and it's costly to replace. A seller saying it 'just needs a regas' is a warning sign.

    Check: Run the air con and check it blows properly cold.

    Source: Parkers: used Toyota Prius 2009-2015 review

  • Rusty brake discs

    Because the hybrid system does much of the braking, discs often rust rather than wear, and fail the MOT that way.

    Check: Look at the discs through the wheels for heavy rust or a ridged surface.

    Source: Parkers: used Toyota Prius 2009-2015 review

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

Looking at a Toyota Prius?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots, and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.