MOT failure data · 2025
Toyota Prius MOT problems
Across every Toyota Prius that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was position lamp not working, on 6.04% of failure items. The broadest problem area was lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment at 30.93%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.
Most common Toyota Prius MOT failures
| # | Recorded defect | Area | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp not working | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.04% |
| 2 | Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 5.72% |
| 3 | Linkage ball joint dust cover ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Suspension | 5% |
| 4 | Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 4.19% |
| 5 | Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively | Visibility | 3.74% |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3.66% |
| 7 | Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3.45% |
| 8 | Shock absorbers has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 2.75% |
| 9 | Ball joint dust cover ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Suspension | 2.73% |
| 10 | Condition has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 2.53% |
Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.
What this means if you are buying one
Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Toyota Prius, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.
The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Toyota Prius buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.
Checking a specific Toyota Prius?
Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.
Other Toyota models
- Toyota Yaris MOT problems
- Toyota Aygo MOT problems
- Toyota Auris MOT problems
- Toyota Corolla MOT problems
- Toyota RAV4 MOT problems
- Toyota C-HR MOT problems
Toyota Prius MOT FAQs
What does a Toyota Prius most commonly fail its MOT on?
The single most recorded defect on Toyota Prius cars failing their 2025 MOT was "position lamp not working", appearing on 6.04% of failure items.
Does this mean my Toyota Prius will fail?
No. This is what testers recorded across every Toyota Prius that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Toyota Prius passed 86.68% of its initial tests.
How do I see a specific Toyota Prius's MOT history?
Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.
See also: Toyota Prius MOT pass rate · used Toyota Prius buying guide · free MOT history check
Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.