2020 Toyota Prius 1.8L Hybrid electric · EF69 OVW

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a shift toward reactive repairs rather than proactive upkeep. The most recent test in August 2025 at 107,325 miles passed only after a failure the previous day. This failure was caused by a serious fluid leak on the nearside rear shock absorber alongside minor tyre damage on the offside front. While the immediate safety faults were rectified, the appearance of a major shock absorber failure suggests that components are only being addressed once they reach a critical point. The mileage profile indicates high usage for a six-year-old vehicle, averaging nearly 18,000 miles per year. There is a significant surge in activity between December 2024 and August 2025, where the car covered over 24,000 miles in just eight months. This rapid accumulation is consistent with heavy motorway use, which naturally accelerates the wear on suspension components and braking systems. The gap between the January 2023 and December 2024 tests also shows consistent high-mile operation. A buyer should personally inspect the steering geometry closely, as the offside front inner steering linkage ball joint was flagged for play across two consecutive tests in 2023 and 2024. Although it passed later tests, the recurring nature of this fault suggests the front-end components are nearing the end of their service life. The rear brake discs noted in late 2024 indicate that the braking system is experiencing corrosion or wear. Given the high mileage and the recent shock absorber failure, a thorough check of all remaining suspension bushings and dampers for perished rubber is essential to ensure the vehicle remains stable under load.