2012 Toyota Prius 1.8L Hybrid electric · FP62 YRO

The Prius presents a stable and currently compliant roadworthiness profile following its clean pass on 9 May 2026 at 267,981 miles. The maintenance trend is broadly improving. A failure on 21 April 2026 for a windscreen defect affecting the driver's view was promptly rectified before the retest eighteen days later, demonstrating responsive ownership. Earlier advisories regarding rear brake disc wear surfaced in both the 2024 and 2025 tests, but these items did not recur as defects in the most recent examination, suggesting the braking system has been attended to. The vehicle has covered approximately 19,142 miles per year over its fourteen-year life, placing it well above the typical annual average. This high utilisation is evident in the rapid mileage accumulation between recent tests. The odometer advanced only 233 miles between the April failure and the May pass, indicating the car was likely stationary or used minimally during the repair period. Between the 2025 and 2026 tests, the Prius covered 5,111 miles in just under thirteen months, confirming sustained, heavy daily use rather than prolonged standing. A prospective buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and steering components. The April 2024 failure specifically identified slight play in the steering column, a defect that can stem from worn intermediate shafts, universal joints, or rack bushings. Given the subsequent clean pass, the issue may have been addressed, but any remaining vagueness or knocks over uneven surfaces warrants a thorough check. The high mileage also places significant stress on suspension bushes, ball joints, and coil springs, so a thorough inspection for perishing, cracking, and sag is essential. The repeated advisories on rear brake discs in 2024 and 2025 point to a history of corrosion or uneven wear, common on hybrid vehicles where regenerative braking reduces traditional friction use. Although the May 2026 test passed without brake-related defects, a buyer should verify the condition of the rear calipers for binding and inspect the disc faces for lipping or heat cracking. The windscreen replacement should also be scrutinised to ensure the glass is genuine or of matching optical quality, particularly around the area affecting the obligatory nearside external mirror.