2023 Toyota Prius — MOT failures & pass rate
1,323 MOT tests on the 2023 Toyota Prius are in this dataset, and 94.9% of them passed. That is effectively the same as small family cars of a similar age (5.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.3%) and lighting & signalling (3.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, rear fog lamp and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 43 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2023 Prius fails 2.8% of the time in the 0-30k band and 3.5% at 90-120k, a spread of only 0.7 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 14.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.3% | 44 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.1% | 41 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.2% | 16 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.1% | 14 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.6% | 8 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.1% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 43 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 16 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 15 |
| 4 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 14 |
| 5 | Wipers | 10 |
| 6 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 9 |
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 | 14.4% | 190 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.5% | 59 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.0% | 40 |
| 4 | Other defects | 2.5% | 33 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.9% | 12 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.6% | 8 |
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 | 286 | 2.8% |
| 30-60k | 581 | 5.2% |
| 60-90k | 308 | 7.5% |
| 90-120k | 115 | 3.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 1,287 | 4.9% |
| Petrol | 34 | 14.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 300 | 4.0% |
| 2024 | 483 | 6.0% |
| 2025 | 540 | 5.0% |
What to check before buying a 2023 Prius
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 3.3% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (3.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (3.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (1.2% 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.
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 2023 Toyota Priuss pass their MOT?
94.9% of the 1,323 2023 Toyota Prius MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Toyota Prius?
Tyres, recorded in 3.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.1%).
Does the 2023 Prius get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.8% in the 0-30k band to 3.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,323 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.