2019 Toyota Prius — MOT failures & pass rate
83,098 MOT tests on the 2019 Toyota Prius are in this dataset, and 93.9% of them passed. Against small family cars of a similar age (9.1% fail rate), the 2019 Prius comes out 3.0pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.2%) and tyres (3.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are registration plate lamp(s), tread depth and wipers — registration plate lamp(s) alone was recorded 2,485 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2019 Prius fails 4.6% of the time in the 0-30k band and 8.4% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.8 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 13.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.2% | 5,144 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.6% | 2,976 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.5% | 2,090 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.3% | 1,075 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.3% | 1,040 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.2% | 169 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 2,485 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 1,886 |
| 3 | Wipers | 1,848 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 1,139 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 1,003 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 971 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 13.0% | 10,811 |
| 2 | Brakes | 6.1% | 5,061 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.3% | 2,725 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.2% | 2,686 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 1,568 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.8% | 1,477 |
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 | 13,515 | 4.6% |
| 30-60k | 21,123 | 5.4% |
| 60-90k | 16,922 | 6.0% |
| 90-120k | 12,745 | 6.5% |
| 120-150k | 8,878 | 7.1% |
| 150k+ | 9,890 | 8.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 82,938 | 6.1% |
| Petrol | 69 | 2.9% |
| Other | 67 | 10.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,266 | 5.4% |
| 2022 | 17,407 | 6.0% |
| 2023 | 18,109 | 6.5% |
| 2024 | 16,492 | 6.0% |
| 2025 | 18,824 | 6.4% |
What to check before buying a 2019 Prius
On a 2019 Prius, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (3.6% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Visibility (2.5% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2019 Toyota Priuss pass their MOT?
93.9% of the 83,098 2019 Toyota Prius MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Toyota Prius?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.2% of tests, followed by tyres (3.6%).
Does the 2019 Prius get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.6% in the 0-30k band to 8.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 83,098 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.