Looking into buying a 2nd Gen

2006 Toyota Prius with 143k miles, the hybrid battery was replaced (hybrid battery assembly) in 2015 by Toyota dealer with 97,623 miles. I haven't yet checked out the service records on Carfax but it shows that it has 40 reports. The detailed service records on Toyota are updated but at 140,000k there is a note that details:

EAM 1,GUEST WAS RECOMMENDED REPAIRS OR SERVICE TO THE VEHICLE AND HAS DECLINED AT THIS TIME. ~|~CUSTOMER STATES MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. ABS, VCS, OTHERS ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE ~|~ ~|~BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY INTERNAL FAILURE/ ACCUMULATOR LOSES PRESSURE 100 REC. TO REMOVE INVERTER AND OTHER COMPONENTS TO GET TO AND REPLACE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY, BLEED COOLANT AND BRAKE FLUID SYSTEM........ CUSTOMER HAS DECLINED AT THIS TIME,GUEST WAS RECOMMENDED REPAIRS OR SERVICE TO THE VEHICLE AND HAS DECLINED AT THIS TIME.,GUEST WAS RECOMMENDED REPAIRS OR SERVICE TO THE VEHICLE AND HAS DECLINED AT THIS TIME. ~|~CUSTOMER STATES DIGITAL MEDIA DISPLAY DOES NOT TURN ON PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE ~|~ ~|~CENTER DIGITAL DISPLAY INOP/ INTERNAL FAILURE... CUSTOMER HAS DECLINED TO REPLACE AT THIS TIME,GUEST WAS RECOMMENDED REPAIRS OR SERVICE TO THE VEHICLE AND HAS DECLINED AT THIS TIME.,***MPI***COMPLETE MULTI POINT INSPECTION PER INSPECTION SHEET INCLUDING ALIGNMENT CHECK, SEE YOUR ~|~CUSTOMER STATES ***MPI***COMPLETE MULTI POINT INSPECTION PER INSPECTION SHEET INCLUDING ALIGNMENT CHECK, SEE YOUR SERVICE CONSULTANT FOR DETAILS CHECK AND RESET TIRE PRESSURES PER CARB AR-32 REGULATION L CC ~|~ ~|~DONE,ITEMS ON TECH CHECK ),FLOOR MAT CONDITION SECURED,GUEST HAS AUTHORIZED EXTERIOR QUICK CAR WASH.,

The seller notes that the vehicle, "Has already had circuit board on combination meter replaced" and was wondering if that fixes the Digital INOP/Internal failure noted above. The car is listed at $7850, and is one of the better deals I've come across as of recent. How should I go about checking the brake actuator? Any other things a potential should be looking for on a test drive?

 

I've test driven two 2006 models so far. The last test drive (different prius) kept cycling on and off every 10-15 minutes, it sounded as though it were rattling, my guess from the videos I've seen is that it was the brake actuator but I am willing to replace the actuator if needed, the hybrid battery was replaced 7 years ago. Was also wondering if I could talk him down some, the struts and shocks haven't been reported as replaced nor the brake pads/shoes (pads were reported at 97k as: front 4mm, back 3mm)...

If there's a way to check the oil consumption I'm willing to hear it.

Thanks

 

my friend, I may take up your advice but corollas at the moment are in the same ballpark. The plan it to talk the owner of this car down...

I've seen that the part is about $1055 on OEM, $1700 from toyota... how much is modest? Assuming maybe a private seller could be much cheaper to buy from.

The car has been very well taken care of, it's received most of it's oil changes throughout the years from what I can see. Drive belt and water pump replaced at 97k.

and also this... on 4/21


R&R CATALYST CONVERTOR AND HARDWARE, REPLACED 02 SENSOR AND COMPLETED MONITORS

R&R CATALYST CONVERTOR AND HARDWARE, REPLACED 02 SENSOR AND COMPLETED MONITORS ~|~CUSTOMER STATES CATALYTIC CONVERTER STOLEN. CHECK AND ADVISE ON REPAIRS ~|~

 

So I purchased the car, it ran me $7,600. No lights were on, the lifetime battery rated as 80% (on dr. prius) with a voltage difference ranging from 0.1-0.23. The ABS was replaced from a junk prius, looks like from the carfax report the vehicle was a 2007 with 144k miles. I listened for the noise, I only heard the ABS once or twice while driving (and for a very short period). The air blows cold in all vents, the oil was near full, the brakes didn't feel bad at all. I drove this thing for about an hour, perhaps 25-30 mins on the freeway. All this sounds good but I have one concern and that concern became apparent as I was riding back home...

The rear brake from only one side has a slight grind. It doesn't sound terrible but it doesn't make me feel good either. The brakes (rear) were given new rotors and shoes only last year and the car has driven 3-4k miles since. I've made an appointment to get a brake check at my local firestone (Toyota wanted to charge $180, while firestone was free). Is this a matter of lubricant? I don't mind going in there myself, I'd have to buy some tools first.

Below I'll attach the service report + part that came with the car...

View attachment 225028

View attachment 225029

for the ABS he had someone install it for him.