How much I spend on maintenance after buying a 120k used 2011 Prius

So you want to buy a used Pruis. How much can you expect to spend on required maintaince within the first year with the expected previous wear on a 120k Prius? I was pleasantly surprised. I truly enjoy wrenching on my vehicles but in the past I have done primarily Toyota trucks ranging from simple oil changes to removing manual transmissions, replacing clutch plates to even removing and resurfacing the once head but what about a Prius.

I purchased a used 2011 Prius one year ago with 120k miles and have since put 30k on it. I am the third owner so I don’t know the real history of the Prius except it has lived in Southern California since new and has been driven 120K. The carfax reported no accidents but it was stolen and found. I know it has had the front and rear bumper covers replaced but under them there isn't any structural damage because I removed them and looked. Here is the preventive and required maintance and my actual costs to keep it going and hopefully for a long time.

While my original 12v battery was still working it was an additional "I don't want to worry" purchase. I also changed out the transmission fluid right when I purchased the vehicle and did it about 20k later because the original fluid was quite dirty. Everything was done by myself with the help of the amazing @NutzAboutBolts videos and a few inexpensive additional tools from harbor freight. Outside of the Mobil 1 oil I purchased and 4 cans of brake cleaner to clean the EGR system and intake my actual cost was $529.04 which I now have a quite reliable Prius. I would say that the most difficult thing was reinstalling the 12mm nut below the EGR cooler and the Prius brakes are the easiest vehicle I have ever worked on.

Oil changes with Mobil 1 0-20W every 5-7k (does not burn oil), transmission fluid drain and refill (2x), engine and inverter coolant drain and refill, spark plugs replacement , intake and throttle body removal and cleaning, PVC valve replacement, EGR pipe and cooler removal and cleaning, front and rear pad replacement and pin lub. I replaced my original 12V battery with a new Yellow top Optima. My inverter even though it had the software updated failed and the dealer repaired it at no cost.

$529.04 Total spent plus oil for oil changes

166.99 Optima Batteries 9171-767 YellowTop
44.27 TOYOTA FRONT BRAKE PADS 0446547070
29.12 Rear Raybestos Brake EHT1354H
9.80 AGS SIL GLYDE Brake Lubricant
15.64 MANIFOLD GASKET 171770T020
7.97 PCV VALVE 1220437010
41.20 TOYOTA ATF WS Fluid 4 qts
41.20 TOYOTA ATF WS Fluid 4 qts
23.50 15620-37010 Toyota Oil Filter Housing Cap
7.87 64.5mm Oil Filter Aluminum Cup Wrench 14 Flutes For Toyota
45.47 2 Gallons Genuine Engine Coolant Antifreeze Pink Super Long Life
40.00 OIL FILTERS Ten (10) 04152-YZZA6 Oil Filters w/ Drain Gaskets
20.00 Genuine Toyota (17801-37021) Air Filter Element
5.99 Cabin Air filter
30.00 OEM 90919-01253 LASER IRIDIUM Spark PLUGs

 

The first drain was quite dark and the second drain was dark but not as dark as the first time. I am pretty sure that color isn't a true indication of the lifespan / properties of the fluid. The fluid didn't come out as clean the second time as I thought it would but it was lighter. I will continue to replace it every 30k.

 

The plugs looked OK but with 120k on them changing was so easy I just did it. Vehicles are so gentle on plugs compared to older vehicles that I almost think changing them has more to do with the internal electrode than the outside. Both the front and rear pads needed changing. At least one pad at every wheel was warn down flat so that it no longer showed the center grove anymore. I am sure it is driving style that is the largest reason for brake wear. My 2000 Toyota Tundra went over 200k on the original pads and I know people that have had to replace them after 20k so since I didn't drive the first 120k on the vehicle someone liked to brake hard. Aside from the cost of the toyota front pads (I went with Raybestos in the rear) changing all 4 pads is probably the easiest brakes I have ever done on a vehicle. All four pins were quite dry and needed to be lubed too and I bet probably never done. The pads didn't wear exactly even but they weren't that out of proportion which is typical for one sided pistons.