Reliability, safety, running costs and what to check before you buy.
Enter a registration number to see MOT history, tax status, mileage, recalls and more for any Toyota Prius.
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With 123,591 currently licensed in the UK, the Toyota Prius is one of Britain's most popular cars.
Euro NCAP awarded the Prius 5 stars in 2023, with 97% adult occupant and 86% child protection scores.
It has a 83.8% first-time MOT pass rate — above the UK national average of 72%. Common MOT failure areas include suspension, tyres, lighting.
Annual running costs are estimated at £3,172 for a typical 5-year-old example, breaking down to £264/month or 40p/mile.
Theft risk is rated low at 3.8 per 1,000 registered vehicles.
NCAP Safety
2023
MOT Pass Rate
83.8%
85,000 tests
Monthly Cost
£264
est. annual total
New From
£37,000
Euro NCAP tested the Prius in 2023 and awarded it 5 out of 5 stars.
Adult Occupant
97%
Child Occupant
86%
Pedestrian
87%
Safety Assist
92%
There are 34 known DVSA recalls affecting the Toyota Prius. Enter a registration number to check whether a specific vehicle is affected.
R/2021/332
Due to incorrect programming the hybrid vehicle ECU can incorrectly determine that the validation signal is erroneous for the shifter position
Build dates: 2021-05-31 to 2021-07-30
R/2021/332
Due to incorrect programming the hybrid vehicle ECU can incorrectly determine that the validation signal is erroneous for the shifter position
Build dates: 2021-05-31 to 2021-07-30
R/2021/260
The pre-crash brake assist function can be delayed.
Build dates: 2020-08-28 to 2021-05-25
R/2020/190
Under certain circumstances the hybrid unit may shut down and cause loss of motive power.
Build dates: 2014-02-05 to 2015-11-06
R/2020/025
An improper assembly of the electrical contacts in the reminder switch for the driver seat belt
Build dates: 2015-11-27 to 2018-01-12
+ 29 more recalls. Check a specific vehicle to see the full list.
Based on 85,000 MOT tests, the Prius has a first-time pass rate of 83.8% — above the UK national average of 72%.
This is a positive sign for reliability. The Prius is less likely to have issues at MOT time than the average car on UK roads.
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Toyota Prius are estimated at around £3,172 per year, or £264 per month.
Fuel
£803
/year
Road Tax
£195
/year
Depreciation
£1,644
/year
MOT
£55
/year
Estimated annual running costs based on available data. Excludes insurance, parking, and finance costs. Actual costs depend on your driving habits and circumstances.
The Prius achieves a combined fuel economy of around 65.7 mpg (56.5 mpg urban, 67.3 mpg extra-urban).
| Variant | Fuel | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRIUS | PETROL | 65.7 mpg | 1.5L |
| PRIUS | PET HYBRID | 55.4 mpg | 1.5L |
| PRIUS | PETROL HYBRID | 65.7 mpg | 1.5L |
| PRIUS | PETROL HYBRID | 67.3 mpg | 1.8L |
| PRIUS | PETROL/ELECTRIC | 67.3 mpg | 1.8L |
| PRIUS + | PETROL HYBRID | 47.1 mpg | 1.8L |
| PRIUS + | PETROL/ELECTRIC | 48.7 mpg | 1.8L |
| PRIUS MODEL YEAR 2009 | PETROL HYBRID | 72.4 mpg | 1.8L |
Starting from £37,000 new, a Toyota Prius typically retains about 62% after 3 years and 51% after 5 years.
| Age | Retained | Est. Value | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 83% | £30,550 | −£6,450 |
| 2 years | 70% | £25,950 | −£11,050 |
| 3 years | 62% | £22,850 | −£14,150 |
| 4 years | 56% | £20,550 | −£16,450 |
| 5 years | 51% | £18,900 | −£18,100 |
| 6 years | 48% | £17,600 | −£19,400 |
| 7 years | 45% | £16,550 | −£20,450 |
| 8 years | 42% | £15,700 | −£21,300 |
| 9 years | 40% | £14,900 | −£22,100 |
| 10 years | 38% | £14,150 | −£22,850 |
The Prius has a theft rate of 3.8 per 1,000 registered vehicles, rated low compared to the national average of 5.5 per 1,000.
There are currently 123,591 licensed and 4,653 SORN Priuss in the UK (128,244 total). This makes it a very common vehicle on UK roads.
The Prius has a 83.8% first-time MOT pass rate based on 85,000 tests — above the UK national average of 72%. This suggests good overall reliability.
Euro NCAP awarded the Prius 5 out of 5 stars when tested in 2023. It scored 97% for adult occupant protection, 86% for child occupant protection, 87% for vulnerable road users, and 92% for safety assist features.
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Prius are estimated at around £3,172 per year (£264/month). This includes fuel, road tax, depreciation, and MOT fees — but excludes insurance, servicing, and repairs.
There are 34 known safety recalls affecting the Prius. These are issued by the DVSA when a safety defect is found. You can check if a specific vehicle is affected by entering its registration number.
The Prius has a theft rate of 3.8 per 1,000 registered vehicles, which is rated low compared to the national average of 5.5 per 1,000. Standard security precautions should be sufficient.
A new Prius starts from around £37,000. After 5 years, a typical example retains about 51% of its original value.
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