Potential 2008 Prius Purchase Sitting for 9mo+

Would be curious as to why a dealer would recommend NOT starting a Prius over such an extended period.
But we may never know.

Also even though I assume your net buy in price is factoring in selling your current vehicle for $3000-$4000, I would still approach the purchase as being an initial investment of $6000-$7000, because selling your vehicle IS giving up something of value to get cash.

So I guess the question becomes is buying a low mileage Prius that has sat for 9 months with limited test drives in 13 months a wise purchase?

I'd be concerned about a HV battery that has sat with no activity for at least 9 months. But I don't think it's necessarily a death bell. It might be OK.

But something I say to ALL Prius owners-Past Battery Warranty, is that I think if you own a Prius, you should have the financial resources or money set aside for the possibility of a "Worst Case" scenario.- Which is usually the failure of the Hybrid Battery.

Other may be able to suggest ways of testing the battery for charge and balance. But that's a path I do not walk. And I think it's hard to quantify or predict what affect sitting unused for 9 months plus may or may not have on the overall longevity of the battery.

You could get, minutes, days, weeks, months or years of continued viable use....hows that for vague?

I'm also assuming on these limited test drives no codes are popping up? And that the battery isn't immediately showing any problem?

I guess bottom line, IF I was going to purchase this vehicle, I'd want to do it, with the knowledge and acceptance that a Hybrid Battery failure "Might" be on the horizon at some unknown point, and if I couldn't or didn't want to deal with that reality? Then I might just keep driving my solid but high mileage vehicle.

 

welcome!
start it up and reset the mpg's. take it for a good long drive under varied conditions and see how it does.

a knowledgeable dealer can hook up tech stream and test the battery under load.

all the best!

 

panasonic says NiMH need to be charged at least once a year or risk leakage. The traction battery is probably fine.

Battery Storage FAQ, battery manufacturer's recommendations for
storing batteries, storing lead acid, sealed lead acid, NiCad, NiMH and lithium
ion batteries

I'd be more worried about the tires. Sitting in one position for months can cause a permanent flattened spot.