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2013 Prius over 200k miles with new engine

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by PriusNooby, Dec 23, 2021.

  1. PriusNooby

    PriusNooby New Member

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    Hello All -

    Need some advice from the community. Recently got out of my BMW lease, (bought it out and sold it) given the nature the market was able to come out on top of the residual value. Was looking for something for typical daily commute that will last at least another 4-5 years and can take on 2 little ones. Saw this ad for a 2013 Prius with 210k miles, but the engine is new and comes with warranty. The idea of a 2013 Prius with a new engine really intrigued me. The vehicle looks to be very well maintained.

    Is there anything else I need to look out for?

    Any recommendations for a Pre-purchase inspection mechanic for used Prius?

    Thanks
     
    #1 PriusNooby, Dec 23, 2021
  2. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    #2 AzusaPrius, Dec 25, 2021
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    "New" may mean "salvage". Is it for sale by owner? Ask them if they've cleaned the EGR and intake manifold. In any event, that's a significant amount of miles, could be hybrid battery and/or brake booster issues looming.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Dec 25, 2021
    2010moneypit? likes this.
  4. PriusNooby

    PriusNooby New Member

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    Tried posting a link URL, but got denied. Attached picture. Thanks for the suggestions so far.
     

    Attached Files:

    #4 PriusNooby, Dec 25, 2021
  5. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Hybrid Pit in the LA area gets good reviews. I would trust Gasketmasters or Luscious Garage in the Bay Area.

    I think a new engine in a 2013 Prius is unlikely although a used or rebuilt engine is possible.

    These cars (gen3 2010-2014) have a litany of problems that were not entirely solved until 2016 in a hatchback. Over two grand issues include the brake booster (brake by wire system), hybrid battery, excessive oil consumption and head gasket failures. You could have a significant inverter failure although that is generally covered for 15 years.

    Ten to one your car's original engine had a head gasket failure which can take out the whole engine. A pre-purchase inspection "might" identify a weak hybrid battery but unless it is throwing codes there is no guarantee the mechanic can preemptively determine its condition. Same goes for a weak brake booster, oil consumption, inverter or early head gasket failure.

    I would want specifics on the replacement engine and length of guarantee. Then allocate a $2,500 repair fund for a hybrid battery or brake booster when needed. Even though the inverter may be covered by Toyota, it could strand you without warning. There was a software upgrade that hopefully was applied at low mileage but inverter failures still occur. Checking the vin at a dealer may verify if and when this update was performed.

    Overall the engine replacement might be good as long as it was not just a used engine swap. But that alone does not make this car reliable enough for me to recommend for more than a year's use.
     
    #5 rjparker, Dec 25, 2021
    Last edited: Dec 25, 2021
    PriusNooby likes this.
  6. PriusNooby

    PriusNooby New Member

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    Really really appreciate comments. It's been 2 days and the owner hasn't replied to any of my questions. So I think I'm going to continue my search. Thanks again!
     
    #6 PriusNooby, Dec 25, 2021
  7. abdullah arslan

    abdullah arslan Member

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    210k and new engine recall a head gasket failure, which is the result of problem chain. Probably, that car needs EGR circuit and intake cleaning, PCV replacement
    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #7 abdullah arslan, Dec 25, 2021
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