Used Toyota Prius 2024-present review reliability review
With its quiet, comfortable ride and competitive used pricing, the fifth-generation Toyota Prius is a strong option for fuel-conscious families.
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What's the used Toyota Prius like?
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Reliability
Owen Bellwood
Updated: 14 October 2026
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What should I look for in a used Toyota Prius?
At the time of writing, there are no major areas of concern to be aware of when shopping for a used Toyota Prius. However, when viewing a used car it’s important to follow our used car buying checklist.
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We advise checking the infotainment system to make sure it’s working correctly, with no glitches or lag when you use it. Always check the interior for any signs of wear and tear, too, and be sure to inspect the exterior and wheels for scratches and scuffs.
What are the most common problems with a used Toyota Prius?
Rear Door Locks
Some Toyota Prius models fitted with an electric rear door lock system, which includes a door opener switch and a rear door lock release actuator, have been found to run into problems. If the seal performance for this switch is reduced, this can temporarily allow water to enter the switch and cause it to activate, which would open the door unexpectedly. To rectify the issue, Toyota installed a new relay and wire harness in impacted models.
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Is a used Toyota Prius reliable?
Toyota has a historically strong record when it comes to reliability, but its crown has somewhat tarnished in recent years and it finished 17th in our annual What Car? Reliability Survey with a score of 89.7%. This put it above the likes of VW and Ford, but below rivals such as Hyundai, Honda and even stablemate Lexus.
As for the Prius, while it wasn’t rated in our latest survey, the previous generation scored highly in past surveys. There are many high-mileage cars still out on the road, testifying to this dependability. What’s more, the CH-R, which shares the same hybrid powertrain, was well-ranked in its class this year, and finished 14th out of 41 small SUVs.
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About the writer
Name: Owen Bellwood
Title: Used car writer
Follow Owen Bellwood on
Owen Bellwood joined What Car? on its used cars desk after a career that has so far seen him cover race cars, road cars and even the global drinks industry.
Owen works as a Used Car Writer at What Car? and joined fresh from a stint covering Formula 1, MotoGP and the World Endurance Championship for Motorsport Network. There, he worked with a team of international reporters on race reports, breaking news and unlocking the culture behind each series.
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