iWith sales of hybrid vehicles rising by 40.6% year over year in January 2023, they are fast becoming the most popular choice of new cars. EVs and hybrid cars account for 14.4% and 13.1% of all sales, respectively. Yet the biggest limiting factor to EVs and hybrid cars is still the battery technology.   

With an influx of new hybrid vehicles every year, you may be interested in knowing how long those batteries last and how much they might cost to replace in the UK, considering what car you have.  

In this blog, we’ll give you the facts and, ultimately, answer: is it worth replacing your hybrid battery? Scroll down to get the lowdown on hybrid battery replacement costs in the UK. 

How much does a hybrid battery replacement cost?

On average, replacing a hybrid battery will cost upwards of £2,000 in the UK.  

Of course, the cost will depend on the make and model of the car, its age and, therefore, its parts availability.  

Being smaller than a standard EV battery, a hybrid battery is cheaper to replace, but it can still be quite expensive. A big factor in price is how old and what make the hybrid car is.   

Unlike replacing a regular 12-volt car battery, the batteries in hybrid and electric vehicles require specialised tooling and know-how. Because these batteries have much higher voltage and capacity, they can be extremely dangerous if mishandled. 

Below, we’ve included all the details on hybrid battery replacement costs by car make and model so you can get a better idea. 

Is it worth replacing a hybrid battery?  

Replacing a hybrid battery is generally worth it, provided that the rest of the car is in good condition.  

To figure out if it's worth it, figure out what the cost would be of replacing your car entirely vs replacing the battery. Bearing in mind second-hand cars are likely to have issues that will develop over time, especially if they’ve not been maintained properly.  

If your car has done very high mileage or needs many other repairs, this answer could change. This is down to the generally high cost of hybrid vehicles making expensive repairs still worth it.  

If you decide to treat yourself to a new hybrid, check out our guide on fuel vs hybrid or electric cars for more information on the best type.  

If you're concerned about the cost of replacement then you can apply to split the cost of repairs into interest-free monthly repayments with a Bumper car repair loan. 

1. Toyota Hybrid battery replacement cost  

• Replacement hybrid battery cost on the second generation Prius: £1,500 - £4,000  
• Replacement battery cost on a third generation Prius: £2,500 - £6,000  

Due to the lower popularity of Toyota’s other hybrid models, they can be more expensive to replace, such as the Auris, Yaris, Corolla and Rav4.  

• Typical Toyota Hybrid battery replacement cost: £3,000 - £9,000  

Toyota popularised the hybrid with the Prius, which has been in production for nearly 22 years. Over 86,000 of them are sold in the UK alone. Because of this, there are quite a few battery replacement options.  

In terms of cost, the hybrid Prius’ battery is one of the cheapest to replace, with many companies offering replacement services at reasonable prices with guarantees. The main factor affecting the cost is the age of the car.   

Second-generation* cars are much easier to work on due to the availability of parts and knowledge. Still, with many manufacturers aiming to keep maintenance work to themselves for safety and profit, the more modern cars are more difficult and expensive to repair.  

*The second-generation Prius was the first model to be sold in the UK, while the first was exclusive to Japan.  

2. Lexus hybrid battery replacement cost  

• Replacement hybrid battery cost on a Lexus: £2,200 - £6,000  

Lexus is Toyota's luxury brand, meaning it shares many parts with other luxury brands. In cases such as brakes and suspension components, this can make Lexus parts surprisingly cheap compared to other luxury brands, such as Mercedes.   

With Hybrid batteries, though they are generally more car specific, that is there are no Toyota batteries that fit directly into a comparable Lexus model.   

That said, Lexus still has a reasonably large network of independent and specialist hybrid repair companies offering hybrid battery replacements.  

It is worth considering that Lexus offers a 15-year warranty across its range of cars if you take out servicing at the dealership. This will cover expensive replacement parts for the hybrid system if required.  

Worried about the cost of expensive replacement parts? With Bumper car repair loans, you can apply to split the cost of repairs into interest-free monthly repayments. Find a reputable service partner near you. 

3. Mercedes hybrid battery replacement cost  

• Mercedes hybrid battery replacement cost: £7,000 - 15,000  

One of the biggest names in luxury vehicles, Mercedes, offers many of their cars with a hybrid powertrain. Combining the complexity of an electrical drive system with Mercedes' reputation for expensive parts may be a recipe for disaster for your wallet.  

In addition to the parts being more costly than other cars, the labour charges at Mercedes dealerships are among the most expensive too.   

Hybrid battery replacement costs by make and model 

Find your make and model below and compare the typical costs. 

Toyota 

• Toyota Prius: £1,500 - £6,000 
• Toyota Yaris: £3,000 - £5,000  
• Toyota C-HR: £3,000 - £5,000 

This makes Toyotas the cheapest hybrid battery replacements.

BMW 

• BMW 330e: £4,000 - £9,000 
• BMW 530e: £4,000 - £9,000 
• BMW X5: £4,000 - £11,000  

Mercedes 

• Mercedes C-class: £7,000 - £15,000 
• Mercedes GLA PHEV: £5,000 - £12,000 
• Mercedes E-class: £7,500 - £15,000  

MINI 

• MINI Countryman Cooper: E £5,000 - £11,000 
• MINI Cooper: E £5,000 - £11,000  

Mitsubishi 

• Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: £4,000 - £7,000 

Ford 

• Ford Focus : £4,000 - £6,000 
• Ford Fiesta: £4,000 - £6,000 
• Ford Puma: £5,000 - £7,000  

Breakdown of hybrid battery replacement costs 

If you’re searching how much does it cost to replace a hybrid battery, you might also be interested in why they’re so expensive. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s included in a battery replacement job. 

• Material costs (E.g., for cobalt, lithium, and nickel) 
• Manufacturing time and labour costs 
• Research and development costs 
• Distribution costs 
• Disposal costs (some materials require specialised disposals)  

Hybrid batteries are complex elements. The cost is higher because it covers the entire process, from design to disposal. 

How long do hybrid batteries last?  

A hybrid battery lasts between 100,000 to 200,000 miles if you treat your car well and avoid excessive road trips.  

Because a hybrid's motor and battery system is in addition to the petrol or diesel engine, the battery does not experience as much load as in a fully electric vehicle. 

In addition, the car's onboard computer can limit the amount to which the battery drains instead of engaging the engine for power when needed.  

Furthermore, because a hybrid has an internal charging source, the petrol or diesel engine, its battery is often topped up with charge.  

Just as with mobile phones, keeping the battery at a high charge level, never draining it completely, and charging slowly prolong the life of the lithium batteries used in EVs.  

Do hybrid batteries have warranties? 

Most hybrid vehicles come with a battery warranty. These are usually an 8-year and 100,000-mile battery warranty; some even have a 10-year and 100,000-mile warranty. It’s always a good idea to check your warranty and insurance before making a hasty appointment with the local garage.  

Signs your hybrid battery is failing 

Knowing the signs of hybrid battery failure will help you stay ahead of repairs. It’s very uncommon for a battery to die without any signs, so learn the precursors below and keep them in mind.  

• The battery is taking longer to recharge 
• Losing charge very quickly 
• Your car burns through petrol faster than it used to 

Batteries tend to slowly degrade over time. So, keep an eye on your car’s fuel efficiency. 

Hybrid battery replacement - Moving forward 

Hybrid cars offer a fantastic driving experience, and you shouldn’t be put off buying one due to potential battery failure. But you should weigh up the potential costs and understand the general process before you buy — or even replace your car’s battery.  

Bumper is here to help you replace your battery without putting extra stress on your wallet. 

Get pre-approved without paperwork and split your bill up to £5,000 today. Learn how it works today. 

Author - Joseph Law

Joseph has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his five cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.