Wise to give all big maintenance done 2011 to someone can't DIY?

2011 155k miles used in mild no road salt seattle since new. Garaged. DIY all maintenance + repairs. Have done all the preventives

• 5k interval : synth oil+filter
• 50k interval : ATF drain+fill
• 100k interval : Engine water pump, engine coolant, EGR intake cleaning, PCV, plugs
• 150k interval : Front+rear brake pads + flush, Inverter coolant + pump (planned)

Just encountered and repaired the first of the 3 big repair items : Brake accumulator and actuator. 2 more to go

• Traction battery still functions fine but shorter range in EV mode now so lost capacity. 0.1-0.2V imbalance @ 150k techstream test ( link ) Lowest local new battery price is $2200+tax ($1350 refundable core of course) Pacific Northwest which seems a few hundred $s more than east coast and southern state's best prices.
• No signs of HG leak (no morning cold start rattles etc) Parts don't cost much but labor intensive which I can do.

Thinking about given it to son in graduate school far away from his DIY dad (he+gf prefers Prius's high gas mileage) but can't DIY. Was wondering what experts think IF all big 3 items are addressed?

Other big ticket items I can think of but don't hear much failure is

• Electric steering rack
• Inverter
• Coils but since its buried under the cowl, maybe just preventively change this with new plugs
• AC compressor (actually line leaked once long ago, changed o-ring, vacuumed and refilled system + ND11 HV pump safe compressor oil)

Fundamentally hybrid cars have amongst the highest complexity (EV+ICE in 1 car) and this Prius is no exception although Toyota has been doing this a long time. But we all know Gen3's weak points and I can address them preventively. Just worried giving non DIY son far away a generally complex car at high miles isn't the wisest decision even if all know big items are sorted. Probably wisest is simple reliable ICE (eg 2010+ Civic or Corolla)

Can also do the front struts rear shocks, endlinks, sway bar bushing etc. Parts aren't too much with best dealer online parts prices + 25% off + free ship.

If son moves to salt belt for post doc assignment, then all bets are off (brake calipers etc) but at least starting with a rust free car

 

Thanks for all the responses!

The newer generation that grew up in tech regions don't even know how to put on the spare tire haha... But is responsible kid and can be shown to check fluids + tire pressure. I was expecting all regular maintenance like oil change dones by finding a good indy and reasonable non DIY maintenance cost.

My big worries are major items that cost multiple thousands which is why I'm thinking to do the remaining 2 of the big 3. Can't think of any other multi thousands repair item that is common on this car. Don't hear any steering rack, inverter, eCVT, or engine (besides HG) issues. Don't hear hubs and calipers issue either (beside periodic lube) Correct me if I'm wrong. Thanks

On struts and shocks, not sure worth doing on Prius. I've had 3 prior experiences and found the biggest difference (besides good quality parts) is actually car's wheel base and center of gravity. Lower riding long wheel base (01 Volvo V70, KYB replacement) got a huge boost in handling. Taller riding not so much (01 Volvo XC70, Saches replacement) since the body rolls/flex more anyways. And short wheel bases (01 VW Golf) are stiff even with worn struts/shocks. I'm thinking Prius's dimensions and stance wouldn't be so dramatic even with good Toyota (KYB) struts/shocks unless OEM is completely destroyed and noisy (not the case on this car)

On car complexity, indeed newer cars are getting quite complex. I wasn't thinking of anything beyond 2010+ Civic Corolla class of complexity which bypasses 2010 era's oil burning more powerful 4 cylinders from Honda, Toyota, VW, Subaru etc (all chasing gas mileage with low tension piston oil rings) and the follow-on complexities (direct injection carboned up intake, low displacement with turbos for power, CVTs, etc. All endless complexity chasing gas mileage). Been maintaining a 125k+ mi 2011 Honda Fit for mother in law 2 states away during my 2x annual visits. Preemptively replaced alternator (with a high quality rebuilt) coils (high quality Japanese) plugs, valve adjustment, tranny drain+fill. Will preemptively replace starter with high qual rebuilt. Car runs like a sewing machine and quite simple. Electric steering rack so no leak+pump to worry. Addressed the only Fit's main gotcha I'm aware of from this era (self loosening spark plugs and blown out hole threads : avoid anti-seize and use higher than factory spec 13 ft/lbs!) Anyhow, this was the level of complexity I was think about to compare with our all 3 big item addressed gen3 Prius. BTW, I see a lot of friends buying Hyundai hybrids, studied them a bit... looks like nightmare out of warranty (and even during haha)

 

Good point on oil burn. No evidence on this car. Last 3-4 5k synth oil change were +- 0.2qts between drain and fill and well within the oil settling dip stick check variations. And yes, burn = bad cat eventually.

I guess another unfair negative for the Prius is cat thieves (protection shield seems to offer little resistance depending on how brazen thieves are) depending on where son ends up for post doc assignments. Secured parking is probably not in the cards for a few years.

And indeed, entering the HG replacement window haha. Since no oil burning. HG reset is reasonably path than a gen4 engine swap.

On struts, boot is all ripped up of course and wonder if worth replacing if heading to salt belt. But seems new boot don't last very long even in none salt belt. If doing the boot, might as well do the strut.

 

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