Advice on Buying a 2010 Toyota Prius IV Hatchback 4-Dr

We are looking at buying a 2010 Toyota Prius IV Hatchback 4-D from a friend.

133K miles. They purchased it at 61K miles from Toyota Dealership. It was a lease.

They have all records, have no problems with it. No oil burning/loss. The battery was replaced at 55K miles.

I have never owned a hybrid. This will be a vehicle for our teenage daughters to learn to drive on. Any questions I need to be asking? Concerns? Issues with 2010 Hybrids I need to look out for?

Thanks for the input!

 

That is my understanding. I have not seen the paperwork yet.

 

Here is what I know:

1) The owner told me they were told by the dealership that the battery was replaced at 55K. They talked like it was the main battery. I will see the car for the first time in person and all available paperwork, but I don't know what they have in regards to paperwork on the battery. I did pull the CarFax report and it states the following:

55,832 miles the following service:
Oil and filter changed
Battery replaced
Engine/powertrain computer/module reprogrammed

Does the reprogramming suggest it was the main battery?

2) I have not seen the vehicle, but have lots of pictures. It appears to be in excellent condition. No wrecks, no dents, paint looks great. Was garaged. The only issue mentioned was the drivers side lumbar adjustment doesn't work.

We are buying it from friends who live out of town. We are paying $7500.

 

I bought it.

The owner keep detailed records, but they didn't have anything on the previous owner other than the carfax report in regards to the battery change. They were told by the dealership that the main battery was what was changed, but they did not get anything in writing other than the carfax report. I plan to call the dealership to see if they can pull the record and tell me what was replaced just so I know....but either way I was comfortable buying the car. They kept great records and I know them well. The car is in excellent shape. It looks new. I drove it home (approx 100 miles) and am very pleased with how it drives. I was going 70-75 mph on the interstate, up a lot of hills, and still averaged just over 46 mpg! WOW! I'm looking forward to the savings at the gas tank.

 

I followed up with the dealership that did the battery work. It was the 12V battery that was replaced. Mystery solved.

 

Here's my update after 1 month of ownership: I love it! The car is great, I have driven it over 2,000 miles in the first month and it is not burning oil, runs great, and I have been averaging about 43 mpg each fill up. I have gotten better mileage on some trips, but for the most part I drive it in a very hilly area and on the Interstate. I am happy with the mpg compared to my 2002 Tundra (15 mpg)!!!

The only concern I have so far is about the battery fan in the back seat. On occasion (about 4 times now) it is a bit noisy.....I plan to take it out and clean it at some point to see if that helps. I think we got a good deal, we are setting some money aside in case the battery cells go bad at some point down the road and need to be replaced.

Thanks for all your feedback! With 1 kid driving already and 3 more getting their licenses in the coming years, I have a feeling another Prius might be in our future.