2004 Toyota Prius+ — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,733 MOT tests analysed for the 2004 Toyota Prius+, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 78.3% was above the average for small family cars of a similar age (71.8%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 1,018 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.0% | 575 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.9% | 396 |
| 4 | Visibility | 5.6% | 322 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.2% | 300 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.8% | 274 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 516 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 451 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 356 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 244 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 222 |
| 6 | Wipers | 210 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 37.5% | 2,147 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.3% | 1,849 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.3% | 1,450 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 24.8% | 1,421 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.4% | 1,057 |
| 6 | Other defects | 17.1% | 978 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 31 | 25.8% |
| 30-60k | 160 | 13.8% |
| 60-90k | 439 | 16.4% |
| 90-120k | 965 | 20.7% |
| 120-150k | 1,346 | 22.5% |
| 150k+ | 2,782 | 22.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 2,808 | 22.5% |
| HYBRID ELECTRIC (CLEAN) | 1,967 | 20.9% |
| Electric | 462 | 19.1% |
| Other | 279 | 23.7% |
| Petrol | 213 | 21.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,326 | 21.7% |
| 2022 | 1,251 | 22.1% |
| 2023 | 1,189 | 22.7% |
| 2024 | 1,063 | 20.9% |
| 2025 | 904 | 20.9% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Prius+
Before buying a 2004 Toyota Prius+, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (6.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2004 Toyota Prius+s pass their MOT?
78.3% of the 5,733 2004 Toyota Prius+ MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Toyota Prius+?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.8% of tests, followed by suspension (10.0%).
Does the 2004 Prius+ get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.8% in the 0-30k band to 22.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,733 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.