Verdict
The 2016 Toyota Prius 1.8 hybrid passes its MOT first time on 85.4% of tests, against 74.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. That beats 98% of cars on UK roads, ahead even of the Prius as a whole, which beats about nine in ten.
These cars cover about 18,500 miles a year and still pass well above typical. The lead grows with age: about 7 points ahead of a typical car of the same age and mileage at 3 years old, about 10–11 points at 6 and 7, and about 12 points at 8 and 9. Across all years of this engine it is about 11–12 points ahead of a typical car from 100,000 to 150,000 miles.
2017, 2021 and 2022 cars with this engine do slightly better and 2018 cars match it, all beating nearly every car on UK roads. 2009 to 2011 cars do least well but still beat more than eight in ten. The 1.8 hybrid is the only engine in 2016.
Every MOT area fails less often than on a typical car: brakes and suspension about a third as often, emissions about a tenth. The two weak spots are minor: the rear fog light fails about 2.3 times as often as on a typical car and ball joint dust covers about twice as often, each on about 1 in 85 tests.
Watch these weak spots
MOT pass rate by age
First-time pass rate at each MOT.
Where it fails
Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Buying one or MOT due? Check these
- Rear fog light
Fails about 2.3 times as often as on a typical car, on about 1 in 85 tests. Switch on the rear fog light with the dipped beams and check it lights up at the back. - Ball joint dust covers
Fail about twice as often as on a typical car, on about 1 in 85 tests. Look behind the front wheels for split or missing rubber boots on the suspension joints. - Tyre tread depth
The most common fail, on about 1 in 45 tests, though less often than on a typical car. Check every tyre has at least 3 mm of tread, including the inner edge. - Windscreen wipers
Fail on about 1 in 45 tests, about 1.2 times the typical rate. Check the blades clear the screen without smearing. - Number plate lights
Fail on about 1 in 50 tests, about 1.2 times the typical rate. Check the rear number plate lights work with the sidelights on. - Hybrid system
The MOT doesn't test the hybrid battery or electric motor. Ask for a hybrid battery health check and the service history.
Pass rate by mileage
First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.
Most common MOT failures
| Item | This car | Typical | vs typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyre tread depth | 2.3% | 2.8% | 0.8× |
| Windscreen wipers | 2.2% | 1.9% | 1.2× |
| Number plate lights | 1.9% | 1.7% | 1.2× |
| Tyre damage & cracking | 1.8% | 3.3% | 0.6× |
| Headlight aim | 1.2% | 2.8% | 0.4× |
| Rear fog light | 1.2% | 0.5% | 2.3× |
| Brake pads | 1.1% | 2.5% | 0.5× |
| Ball joint dust covers | 1.1% | 0.6% | 2.0× |
| Sidelights | 1.0% | 1.8% | 0.6× |
| Headlight bulbs & units | 0.8% | 1.8% | 0.4× |
Specific defects found
Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.
| Defect | per 1,000 |
|---|---|
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 22.6 |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 21.4 |
| A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | 14.5 |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 12.4 |
| A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 12.2 |
| A tyre seriously damaged | 10.5 |
| A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | 10.4 |
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 9.4 |
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Advisories
Not a fail yet, but likely to need attention soon.
| Item | Share of tests | vs typical |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre tread depth | 11.2% | 0.6× |
| Brake discs | 4.0% | 0.4× |
| Tyre damage & cracking | 4.0% | 0.7× |
| Brake pads | 3.6% | 0.4× |
| Suspension arm bushes | 1.2% | 0.3× |
| Number plates | 1.0% | 0.6× |
| Shock absorbers | 1.0% | 0.3× |
| Track rod ends | 0.6% | 0.7× |
Best and worst years
Prius 1.8 Hybrid by year, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.
Other 2016 Prius engines
Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.
| Engine | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 Hybrid | 85.4% | Beats 98% | A |
FAQ
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2016 Toyota Prius 1.8 hybrid?
85.4% of MOT tests on the 2016 Toyota Prius 1.8 hybrid were passed first time, from 102,556 tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 74.9%.
Is the 2016 Toyota Prius 1.8 hybrid reliable?
On MOT results it is one of the best cars on UK roads: it beats 98% of cars once age and mileage are taken into account, and its lead over a typical car grows with age. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown, and not the hybrid battery.
What are the most common MOT failures on the 2016 Toyota Prius 1.8 hybrid?
Tyre tread depth, windscreen wipers, number plate lights and tyre damage, each on about 1 in 45 to 55 tests. The rear fog light fails about 2.3 times as often as on a typical car.
Is a high-mileage Toyota Prius worth buying?
On MOT results, high mileage hurts it less than a typical car: across all years of the 1.8 hybrid, cars with 150,000 miles still pass first time about 77% of the time, about 12 points more than a typical car at that mileage.
Which Toyota Prius 1.8 hybrid years are best?
2017, 2021 and 2022 cars do best, beating nearly every car on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account, with 2016 and 2018 close behind. Even 2009 to 2011 cars, the weakest years, beat more than eight in ten.