Toyota Prius (2006)
2006 Toyota Prius
CarHunch analysed 4,994 real MOT records for the 2006 Toyota Prius. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2006 Prius passes its MOT at 78.7%, slightly below the UK average of 80%, but the bigger concern is that 41.2% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—well above what you'd expect. Fuel type makes little practical difference to pass rates, with hybrids, electric variants, petrol and other powertrains all clustering between 78–79%.
These Priuses are well-used at 104,000 miles on average, and they're racking up serious advisory items (24 per vehicle) alongside genuine failures (4.4 per vehicle), signalling age-related wear rather than systemic defects. If you're considering one, budget for imminent work on electrics, cooling systems and suspension, get a full pre-purchase inspection, and expect ongoing maintenance costs that reflect a car nearing the end of its first life.
What to check before buying a 2006 Toyota Prius
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 41.2% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Toyota Prius
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Electric (Clean) (36%) | 1,786 | 78.1% | 4.8 |
| Electric (32%) | 1,591 | 78.7% | 4.23 |
| Other (17%) | 841 | 79.3% | 4.19 |
| Petrol (15%) | 740 | 79.3% | 4.02 |
| Fuel Cells (0%) | 21 | 80% | 3.9 |
| Diesel (0%) | 9 | 83.8% | 1.78 |
| LPG (0%) | 5 | 75.6% | 5.6 |
| CNG (0%) | 1 | 66.7% | 1 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2006 Toyota Prius vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2006 Toyota Prius vehicles fall between 75,643 and 128,003 miles.
2006 Toyota Prius — Still on the Road
3,022 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 66% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2006 Toyota Prius
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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64.4%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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62.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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42%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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39.6%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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38.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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36.3%
Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread
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35%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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34.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2006. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Toyota Prius?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.