Known APK problem

Toyota Prius III: brake lines

On the Toyota Prius III the APK inspector finds brake lines problems 90% more often than on cars of the same age: at 13–15 years 1.1%, against about 0.6% nationally.

Illustration Toyota Prius III

Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026

What is it?

Rusty or leaking brake lines. An A-problem at the APK because braking is at risk.

Repair indication: mediuma targeted repair at the garage.

How to check it at the viewing

Use a torch to look along the lines near the wheels and rear axle: no thick rust or wet spots.

Ask the seller: Have the brake lines ever been (partly) replaced?

By age

Share of inspected Toyota Prius IIIs with this defect, compared with all cars of the same age.

AgeTypePrius III95%-CINationalDifferencen
11 – 12 yearsA0.3%0.1 – 0.5%0.3%1.0×3,598
13 – 15 yearsA1.1%0.9 – 1.4%0.6%1.9×7,990
16+ yearsA1.9%1.5 – 2.3%1.4%1.4×4,191

A = structure, safety or costly mechanics; B = fail, usually simple; C = advisory. An age is missing when this defect is not among the most common there.

Comparable cars at 13–15 years

ModelBrake linesVs. national
Toyota Prius III1.1%1.9×
Peugeot 206+0.7%1.2×
Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W212/S2123.0%5.1×
Citroën C3 Picasso0.5%2.2×

Looking at a Toyota Prius III? Check that car

Enter the plate and see the APK history, open recalls and how this car compares with other Toyota Prius IIIs of the same age.

All weak spots of the Toyota Prius III · Brake lines: which models more often · Checklist for this model

Frequently asked questions

Does the Toyota Prius III often have brake lines problems?

Yes, more often than average at the APK. At 13–15 years the inspector found a brake lines defect on 1.1% of inspected Toyota Prius IIIs, against about 0.6% of all cars of the same age (1.9×). Source: RDW Open Data, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026.

How do you check the brake lines on a used Toyota Prius III?

Use a torch to look along the lines near the wheels and rear axle: no thick rust or wet spots.

Repair indication: small, medium or large. An indication of the usual repair, not a quote: the real cost depends on the car, the cause and the garage.

Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know