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Advice on purchasing 2012 Toyota Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Mohamed A, Dec 25, 2022.

  1. Mohamed A

    Mohamed A New Member

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    Need bit of advice here, Seen a 2012 Prius with 108000 miles with 4 registered keepers. This year, it has been used as a taxi. It has 8 service stamps but has not been serviced since 74000miles. It has not been serviced for nearly 35000miles. Is it worth the buy or should I worry about anything?

    The vehicle has passed it MOT until next year and asking price is £8500 with a month's warranty. There is no noise in the vehicle upon checking, while starting the engine.

    The only thing that worries me is there is no record of service after 74000 miles, which is nearly 35000miles to its current mileage. What if the last keeper would have changed the odometer to fewer miles for a good sale as these cars are in demand on market now. I don't want to miss out on the vehicle, if there are no issues with it. The vehicle is sold by a family run business (Garage) in Manchester.
    Would they risk their reputation by selling a vehicle that would cause issues in coming months.

    Don't really know if it's worth the buy?


    Thanks
     
    #1 Mohamed A, Dec 25, 2022
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The mileage on these cars can easily be turned back on them. If you don't have good records of the mileage and the car used to be a TAXI, I would suspect the mileage is not accurate, maybe a pass on this one
     
    #2 JC91006, Dec 25, 2022
  3. Doug McC

    Doug McC Active Member

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    I think your instincts are working hard to protect you, and your emotions are working against your instincts. From your description I wouldn’t touch it with a 1 mm stick, much less any money. If the car was in good shape, and you were the seller, would you be selling it? FWTW
     
    #3 Doug McC, Dec 25, 2022
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  4. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

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    It's possible it's last owner did the maintenance himself so it's not on record. I find it hard to believe it wasn't serviced for 35000 miles.
     
    #4 nicoj36, Dec 25, 2022
    bettergolf likes this.
  5. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    The carfax in my Prius last oil change to record was done 120,000 miles ago with total miles driven only accurate to my each last biannual state inspection. Truely maintaince free once in my possession in carfax record.
     
    #5 Grit, Dec 25, 2022
  6. taxidriver50005

    taxidriver50005 Active Member

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    340,000 miles on my 2012 and she hides the mileage very well, battery has just started to show signs of a problem. Most taxis are not serviced in the dealers but at home or even taxi garage where there will be no stamp, if the service is at main dealers up to 74,000 I wouldn't worry too much...but what date was the last service...average taxi miles is about 50,000 a year or more if double shifted so if the last owner had this car for a few years without a service record and been taxi for that time the mileage could be huge.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #6 taxidriver50005, Dec 29, 2022
  7. Mohamed A

    Mohamed A New Member

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    Thank you all for your Feedback and appreciate it. Bit relieved after knowing the vehicle has not been used as Taxi. Last serviced as at 2019 and for some reason there is no record of servicing on record. Don't really know why would one drive without servicing for that long 35000miles.
     
    #7 Mohamed A, Dec 30, 2022
  8. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    "No record of servicing" doesn't mean there was no servicing. Not every conscientious maintainer is a conscientious record-keeper. It must've had oil changes during that 35,000 miles, at least.
     
    #8 CR94, Dec 31, 2022
  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Let’s go down that road, what if no services were actually Performed for 35?000 miles? What kind of special oils are being used? Nano carbon fiber like additives added to existing oil making it lifetime fluid life potentially.
     
    #9 Grit, Dec 31, 2022
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I think the British mindset with auto servicing is much more dealership-centric. UK Toyota doesn’t even publish a maintenance schedule?
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Dec 31, 2022
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