2008 Toyota Prius+ — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 41,044 MOT tests analysed for the 2008 Toyota Prius+, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion. Its pass rate of 80.8% was above the average for small family cars of a similar age (73.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 21.9% in the 150k+ group versus 15.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 6,002 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.3% | 2,606 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.0% | 2,455 |
| 4 | Tyres | 4.9% | 2,026 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.8% | 1,953 |
| 6 | Brakes | 4.7% | 1,937 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 2,943 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 2,582 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 2,512 |
| 4 | Joints | 1,855 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 1,564 |
| 6 | Wipers | 1,493 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 27.9% | 11,438 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.4% | 10,424 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.1% | 10,297 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.7% | 8,099 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.8% | 6,495 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.1% | 6,204 |
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 | 201 | 15.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,819 | 11.9% |
| 60-90k | 5,405 | 14.3% |
| 90-120k | 8,085 | 18.0% |
| 120-150k | 7,491 | 19.7% |
| 150k+ | 17,998 | 21.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 19,628 | 18.9% |
| HYBRID ELECTRIC (CLEAN) | 15,494 | 20.2% |
| Electric | 2,873 | 18.8% |
| Other | 1,766 | 16.4% |
| Petrol | 1,273 | 18.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,677 | 18.3% |
| 2022 | 8,568 | 18.8% |
| 2023 | 8,305 | 18.9% |
| 2024 | 8,028 | 20.5% |
| 2025 | 7,466 | 19.9% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Prius+
Before buying a 2008 Toyota Prius+, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.3% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (6.0% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 2008 Toyota Prius+s pass their MOT?
80.8% of the 41,044 2008 Toyota Prius+ MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Toyota Prius+?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.6% of tests, followed by suspension (6.3%).
Does the 2008 Prius+ get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 15.4% in the 0-30k band to 21.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 41,044 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.