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PPI + Hybrid Battery Test on Used Vehicle?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by jyii07, Jul 21, 2020.

  1. jyii07

    jyii07 Junior Member

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    Looking to purchase a 2016 prius from a private party. The vehicle has been meticulously serviced every 5k miles at the dealership and looks to be in good shape. The only downside is that there was a minor accident with damage to the rear of the vehicle with the service record just showing " REAR DAMAGES, GLASS ,AND ALIGNMENT " back in 2017. Since then its driven an additional 70k miles. The vehicle is getting their last 100k service done at the dealership and I called to see if I could have a PPI done while they're already servicing it and there seems to be confusion on whether they have the ability to properly test the hybrid battery and see the condition its in. The first guy I spoke to said he can do a PPI and hybrid battery test for $270 and another guy said that he just spoke with the hybrid technician and all they can tell is if the battery is good or bad. My question is whether or not its worth getting a PPI at all on a vehicle thats been serviced every 5k miles at the dealership (full oil/filter/fluid/rotation/etc checks) if its the same dealership doing the services? I thought for convenience it would be easier but should I get it from another auto shop? Secondly, most auto shops I asked dont have the proper tools to diagnose the hybrid battery pack so if I did go the independent mechanic route it'd just be a PPI and not include a test for the battery. I do have an OBD reader and can use the Dr. Prius app so maybe I should do that... Does someone have advice for me?
     
  2. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

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    I'm no expert but my brother had a diagnostic done on his Hybrid camry and it basically just gives them a piece of paper with the modules and Green=pass or Red=fail. Pass if it has the correct voltages in the module and fail if one or more modules is under par.
     
  3. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    The second person is correct: the dealer (or anyone with a Toyota Techstream diagnostic system, or equivalent) can check if the car’s computers have detected a problem with the hybrid battery, but it’s unlikely that they can actually test the battery. See my January 2019 posting.
    Consider the conflict of interest inherent in this situation: if this dealer has been servicing the car, they may have an incentive, during their pre-purchase inspection, to overlook any conditions that might have resulted from past improper work by their own technicians. They also wouldn’t want to offend the current owner, lest they lose his or her future service business for this or other vehicles.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you're in a carb state, so at least you have 10/150 on the battery. eyes wide open, you have to expect to replace it anytime after that on your nickel. that's just the nature of the hybrid beast.
     
  5. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    How many miles per year will you drive? How many miles on the car?
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Just editorial:

    PPI = Pre-Purchase Inspection
     
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  7. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    Thanks for that @Mendel, I was getting a little confused. :unsure:
    We call it a PDI, Pre-Delivery Inspection, here in the UK.
    PPI is an often mis-sold insurance on loans, Payment Protection Insurance and can be claimed back via many no win, no fee solicitors. ;)
     
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  8. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    It's a 4 year old battery with a 10-year/150k mile transferrable warranty. You'll be fine, no need to spend money checking the battery.

    Still worth spending something to get the rest checked like any other car. And definitely make sure it gets done somewhere independent.
     
    #8 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Jul 28, 2020
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2020
  9. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Agreed - PRIUS reputation for batteries is excellent - most batteries will outlive the car, there are still Gen 2 and probably even Gen 1 cars out there with the original batteries. Before I bought my PRIUS, I read about some with 800,000 kms.

    800,000km | PriusChat

    Or Austria - a million kilometres

    Toyota Prius Taxi Running Strong With 600,000 Miles And Original Battery
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    We use that expression here. I'd never heard PPI before.
     
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    google: PPI = proton pump inhibitors
     
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  12. pianewman

    pianewman Active Member

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    HAHAHAHA! That's where I went, originally.
     
  13. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    My favorite acronym is BOGOF, buy one get one free. :LOL:
     
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  14. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Unfortunately that is usually reduces to BOGO which makes no sense. If I buy one I expect to get it. They mean buy one and get a second one free.

    There are TMTLA. Too Many Three Letter Acronyms!!
     
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  15. jyii07

    jyii07 Junior Member

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    appreciate the responses all. I agree there might be a conflict of interest here. ill bring the car over to a nearby independent mechanic to do an inspection to check the other components of the car. hope all goes well
     
  16. jyii07

    jyii07 Junior Member

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    Just wanted to post an update here. Picked up the vehicle on Saturday and got an inspection at a local mechanic. They found the car had a bad wheel bearing on the right passenger side and the rear brake pads were low and only had 3mm left... the seller gave me a copy of the inspection report she received from the dealership 2 months ago and that sheet said all components were good and that the rear brakes still had 6mm...was the dealership being dishonest here or did they not properly check? Either way, happy to finally have it and glad there weren’t any big issues uncovered.
     
  17. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    I'd have a look, or get the 3mm double-checked - the discrepancy could mean you've really got years left on the brakes.
     
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  18. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    It is also possible the dealer never really checked.

    My first free dealer inspection said they set all tires to a dangerously low pressure after rotation. They did no such thing but I realized I could not trust them to properly do the free oil changes either. I have done them myself.
     
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  19. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    My first inspection said I had 175/70R14 tyres on, they had entered the information from a Toyota Yaris on to my check sheet. :eek:
     
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  20. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    My new service writer asked the tech why he did not check the battery. He said Prius are different. The Prius had the battery under the hood (bonnet) like other vehicles for over a year at that time.
     
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