2015 Toyota Prius 1.8L Hybrid electric · AE64 FPZ

The Prius presents a stable and largely improving maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass on 11 December 2025 at 69,561 miles. The most recent test recorded only a single minor advisory for an inoperative offside registration plate lamp, a trivial electrical fault. This outcome marks a significant improvement over the December 2023 test, where the vehicle initially failed on multiple lighting defects and a marginal parking brake efficiency result. The subsequent retest on the same day at 45,259 miles passed, though the parking brake advisory remained, indicating the braking system required adjustment. The fact that the 2024 and 2025 tests passed cleanly suggests the previous lighting faults were rectified and the braking system has since been maintained to a satisfactory standard. The mileage accumulation is consistent and unremarkable for an eleven-year-old vehicle. The record shows a jump of 13,322 miles between the December 2023 test at 45,259 miles and the December 2024 test at 58,581 miles, followed by a more modest increase of 10,980 miles to the December 2025 test at 69,561 miles. This equates to roughly 6,300 miles per year, a typical annual distance that implies regular use rather than prolonged standing. The steady accumulation supports the mechanical wear profile expected for a hybrid drivetrain of this age, with no alarming gaps or sudden spikes in the service record. A prospective buyer should focus the physical inspection on the braking system and lighting circuits. The repeated parking brake advisory in December 2023, where efficiency only just met the minimum threshold, points to a system that has historically run close to its limits. The rear brake calipers and cables on this generation Prius are known to seize or stick, particularly if the vehicle has been used predominantly for short urban trips. A test drive should include a firm application of the parking brake on a gradient to confirm it holds securely, and the rear discs and pads should be checked for uneven wear or binding. The recurring registration plate lamp fault across three consecutive tests suggests a persistent wiring or bulb holder issue, likely corrosion in the rear light cluster connector. This is minor but worth verifying to avoid future MOT failures. Beyond the flagged items, the Prius hybrid battery health and inverter coolant condition deserve attention at this mileage, though neither has triggered an MOT advisory. The exhaust system and underbody should be inspected for corrosion, as the regenerative braking system can reduce natural disc wiping, leading to surface rust on brake components. Tyre condition and suspension bushes should be checked given the typical wear profile at nearly seventy thousand miles. Overall, the MOT record indicates a vehicle that has been kept in reasonable order, with no structural or safety-critical failures, but the braking system warrants a thorough hands-on assessment before purchase.