buying used Second Generation Prius

If you're able to, or have a friend who has it, go online with the car using Techstream. It allows checking all the potential high dollar repair items. You can check the HV battery block condition,, the abs actuator condition/leakage, engine performance, HV insulation condition, etc. You can even see if the owner reset codes recently.

Find out how old the 12v battery is. If its a Toyota, it will have a date code stamp on top near the center
Is the HV battery original? If not, what kind of battery was installed? Toyo or a "rebuild"?
Listen to see if the abs actuator is cycling frequently (that means it's leaking)
Does it have fog lights? Fog lights = HID headlights, which can be more expensive to maintain
How many miles? When were brakes last professionally inspected/maintained?
Check for flow in the inverter coolant reservoir.
Check for water under the spare tire, the driverside storage area, and the 12v battery well. This indicates water leakage from the roof/hatch/brake light areas.
Make sure the AC works. Bring a thermometer you can stick in a vent.
Verify the MFD has a good display. No weird lines or crosshatch pattern in the middle which is indicative of failing.
Do all the door/window control buttons work?

 

start with checking out hybrid mechanics if you're not a serious diy'er

 

IF you are in CA, look into the information on the Catalytic Converter. Generation 2 prius is constantly being hunted due to the Catalytic converter having more precious metals inside, and it is very easy location under the car, easy access, and really fast to cut off if there isnt any CAT lock or shield installed.

 

Yep go on youtube and search

Prius stolen

Theres many many tubes about the cat theft that like everything will soon be worldwide. Huge shortage of specific metals used in the G2 cat. Platrinum and paladium at $2000 an ounce right now.

 

Wow really?

I still have the factory cat. I should just remove this and resell the metals, and put a cheap cat.

 

You live in CA, so you will have to put the factory one back on during your visual vehicle inspection, but if you know what you're doing, you could do this.

 

In Ca smog test they inspect the cat to make sure it’s the oem factory cat. They inspect it.

If aftermarket cat that’s a big fail in Ca.

Plus after market cats are junk.

 

From my experience owning three high mileage Gen 2 Priuses, I'd ask questions of the vehicle's present owner about the traction battery and the front wheel bearings.

If you don't have access to the present owner, assume that these items will need replacement as you evaluate the asking price.

All three of my Prii needed a new traction battery at ~150k miles and front wheel bearings by 100k. The latter one annoyed me on my 2009 because I assumed that Toyota would fix the well-known wheel bearing issue based on early owner experience with 2005-2008 vehicles. Worn wheel bearings sound like front tires with severe wear on them.

In 225k miles I have had zero HID headlight issues on my 2009. I think Toyota fixed the HID problems by that model year.

And the large multi-function display's brightness is greatly diminished by 200k miles. I have to take my sunglasses off to read mine. Same for the odometer.

Might want to crawl under the proposed purchase and assess how much of the underside splash shield remains. The splash shield certainly qualifies as a gross "lick and a promise" error by Toyota engineering. Although replacement splash shield parts are readily available on EBay at friendly prices, these shields are surprisingly time consuming to replace. Their corroded fasteners spin in the their holes and cannot be counter-grabbed from the top side. Plan to shear off the old shields and replace them all at the same time, including using fresh fasteners.

 

They never inspect it. They just run a code reader and see if there is a code that pop. But I suppose one of these days they’ll inspect it.

 

Do you guys always smog the car buy having it run. I got to this aaa approved in my town and they just put a code reader and that’s it. I wonder why?

 

Welcome to PriusChat!!

You should run a Carfax, and or run the VIN at : Track Your Service Records with Your Toyota Owners Account

Check for the service history, and pay attention to the reported mileage for shenanigans. Many resellers will roll back the miles for profit.

Make sure there are two (2) fobs for the vehicle, as replacing them can be expensive.

Every hybrid smog that I've experienced has completed the visual inspection before checking for OBD2 codes (DTCs). CARB hasn't instituted a way to test hybrids for emissions beyond the current plug and play method, but that could change in the future. Canada could be different, maybe @Mendel Leisk will chime in on the current vehicle transfer and safety inspection regiment in the great white north.

 

On mine they pop the hood but they don’t put it on a lift. Sorry I need to clarify. There is a visual inspection and they check for a check engine light but they never put the car on the lift.