How long should brake pads last?

Did the previous owner showed you paper that stated break was changed?

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I would have the brakes lubricated (the caliper pins). If they stick the pads will wear excessively. And yes, Prius brake pads usually outlast the other components due to corrosion of the other parts.
Did the first repair involve only the rear pads? If so then the front pads would be next.
Oh, and I've had a Toyota dealer give me that line "your pads are 70% gone and should be replaced soon". My response was "ok, the 150,000 km wear was 70% meaning I have another 60,000 km wear left. Why replace now?"

 

Should last 200k miles if done right

 

Toyota in North America says the 2010 brakes should have an in-depth inspection, every 3 years or 48,000 kilometers (30,000 miles). This is regardless of brake depth, a routine maintenance. This is what I do, and I believe it's industry-wide accepted practice, what a "brake inspection" should entail:

1. Pull off the brake caliper
2. Remove of the pads, disassemble and clean the pads and shims, check pad thickness, reassemble of pads and shims with thin coat of anti-seize compound (Permatex Anti-Seize Lubricant) at all contact points.
3. Clean the piston front face, and caliper "fingers", ie: the points of contact between caliper and pad backs. Apply thin coat of anti-seize compound to those points.
4. Remove caliper pins, clean, apply fresh caliper pin lube ("Sil-Glyde Silicone Brake Lubricant" for example) and reinstall.
5. Inspect anti-rattle claps in place, without removal.
6. Inspect brake disk for excessive scoring/glazing/rusting.
7. Install pad/shims.
8. Install brake caliper.

Optional, while brake caliper is off, if there's pulsing and/or suspicion brake disk is nearing minimum thickness:

1. Check disk thickness with micrometer, verify it's within spec. (see attachment)
2. Check disk runout with dial gauge and magnetic base, verify it's within spec. (see attachment)
(Note, keep magnetic base away from speed sensor)
(Note, lug nuts should be reinstalled and semi-torqued (with washers)).

Caution: When reassembling rear brakes ensure inner pad's backing plate pin is positioned (and well seated) between the spokes on face of caliper piston. Failing to do so, the brakes will drag.

Edit: attachment belatedly added.

 

The lug nuts need washers?

On a serious note, the Gen III Prius has a display called "Hybrid System Indicator" (pic below). When you brake, the left-most part of this bar will darken, which indicates that you're using regenerative braking. As long as that small bar isn't completely dark, you are slowing the car without using brake pads at all.

Sometimes, of course you have to brake hard enough to use the brake pads - that's what they're for. But if you safely practice using this, you won't need to look at it every time, you'll e able to softly stop your car every time and create regenerative power. So you save your brake pads and you save gas.

View attachment 121353

 

Without the wheel on, if they're closed end nuts, yeah they may. See attachment too: they say to put on all lug nuts, with washers, and torque to 76 ft/lb. That seems a little overkill, I would maybe put on 3, and just half-torque them, the best you can with the rotor not that well restrained.

 

the brakes have no life specification. they typically should last longer than standard brakes, but it depends on how you drive and conditions. the front brake pads on my 2004 lasted about 110,000 miles, which i thought was fabulous.
have the mechanic give you the thickness, there is a minimum toyota spec for that. definitely agree with all of the above to make sure everything is working properly.

 

Here are my pads at 142 k miles when I lined the pins:

Front pads:


Rear pads:


As @Rebound said use the HSI display and regen braking can make the brakes last a long time. Frequent PMs can help ensure parts stay in good condition.

If you are a DIY type, pull the wheels and take a look. If not, have someone you trust do it and replace as instructed.

Then start the PMs to make them last.

 

Our 2011 had new F/R pads installed a few weeks ago at 160k -- They could have gone another 20k. I bought the pads last year when it had about 125k, thinking it was going to need them any second. When the average mechanic looks at a Prius they forget that the pads don't wear like a typical car -- 3mm remaining on a Prius pad can be 50k of driving.