Things to check when buying a used Toyota Prius
Without a doubt, electric vehicles are here to stay. If it’s any indicator, there will be even more options for electric vehicles in the future, as manufacturers like Toyota have announced an all-electric plug-in vehicle that will be a zero-emission car, aside from its Prius model. However, for now, the Toyota Prius is the Japanese automaker’s success, commercially and technologically, in the green vehicle category.
The Prius is already in its third generation right now, which means there would be millions of these successful hybrids on the road wherever they are sold. Prii’s with 100,000 running miles sell for around $ 8,000 these days, making them an interesting alternative for people who are mindful of low cost, fuel efficiency, and green living. But let’s face it, the Prius, while appealing as a car to people with alternative lifestyles, is a complex car with little knowledge spread outside of Toyota-trained technicians. Unless you or a mechanic friend have a thorough understanding of how the Prius works, it is best to buy a used Toyota Prius only after it has been inspected by a reputable Toyota dealer.
A Prius that has not been properly maintained will be a candidate for inverter or transaxle failure, both of which are important car components, and both are costly to replace or even repair. Since a Prius transmission is basically a CVT, don’t buy a used Toyota Prius if you feel some jolt coming from the transmission. Reportedly, a new transmission set for the Prius can cost up to $ 10,000. Which is an absurd repair bill if you buy a used Toyota Prius for something close to that amount.
Other things that need inspection before buying a used Toyota Prius include the front struts and rear shocks, HID headlights, 12V battery (not traction unit), rear brake lights, inverter cooling pump, and transmission fluid. Look for maintenance records that show the inverter cooling pump has been removed and the transmission fluid has been changed at the recommended intervals.
Before even asking the seller if the car can be serviced at a dealership, quick checks you can perform include turning on the HID headlights and making sure they are still on after ten minutes. At the same time, also turn on the air conditioner and check the air coming out of the vents. After the 10 minute period, is the air still cold? Also check for leaks under the engine water pump. The original 12-volt battery is known to be faulty, so a used Prius should have an aftermarket replacement battery installed. And while it may seem like a minor matter to replace a brake light switch on a Prius, the fact is that it will require replacement of the pedal assembly. As you can see, the complexity of the Prius extends to even the little things that would be easy to fix in a more conventional car. If there is a combination of these little faults in a Prius you are considering, then it would be better to inspect another unit rather than buy a used Toyota Prius which may end up costing you more than the purchase price of the car.