2021 · 3 years old at test · Mixed fuel mostly

2021 Toyota Prius MOT pass rate and common faults

2,494 MOT tests in 2024. 89.3% passed first time, compared with 87.6% for all cars the same age.

102About average
Passed first time89.3%
Failed or needed repairs10.8%
Typical mileage at test43,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 2,494 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
    65 marked dangerous
  2. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.2%
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.0%
    52 marked dangerous
  4. Rear fog lamp: not working0.7%
  5. Headlamp aim: too high0.6%
  6. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.5%
  7. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.5%
    19 marked dangerous
  8. Position lamp: not working0.4%
  9. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.4%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics5.0%
  2. Tyres3.8%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.1%
  4. Brakes1.9%
  5. Suspension1.4%
  6. Steering0.2%
  7. Body & chassis0.2%
  8. Wheels0.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm9.6%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened2.8%
  3. Tread depth: tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm1.9%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.6%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure1.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2020 PriusAll Prius years

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Toyota Prius?

In 2024, 89.3% of 2021 Toyota Prius cars passed their MOT first time, across 2,494 tests. The average for all 3-year-old cars was 87.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2021 Toyota Prius?

The most common failure reasons were tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2021 Toyota Prius reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 102, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).