Prius With Aftermarket Battery

This "new" battery is probably not new from Toyota. It is probably a partially refurbished battery with a very limited life expectancy of less than 3 years form the time it was installed. Genuine, all new Toyota batteries can be counted on for a dozen years or more. Everything else is a total crapshoot.

 

I agree with Kenoarto. Before you buy, find out which company installed the 2nd battery. If it was an OEM battery from Toyota (which I doubt), call the actual dealership that installed the battery and verify the info.

If it's an aftermarket battery, find out the name of the company and ask about the warranty. Then call the company and verify the info. See what's included in the warranty (parts/labor/travel) because the battery will likely fail.

Also, find out the date of the 2nd battery's install. It's relevant in my book.

 

get her a corolla or some such.

 

If it’s not a factory Toyota battery with legit paperwork don’t waste your time. It’s a refurb battery and with change of ownership it will not have any warranty. It won’t have much warranty to begin with.
There will be a garanteec though in that it will fail again soon and you’ll be forced to become a hybrid battery specialist.
Got time for that?

 

I also couldn't figure out where to post a query, so I'm turning to you! LOL. I'm also looking at a 2005 Prius. Owner says new batteries were installed to the tune of $3200. Deal or no deal? Oh, the car is selling for less than 3K.

 

New batteries as in plural means the individual batteries were replaced. Problem with that is there are no new individual batteries available only old used battery’s that haven’t failed yet.

Is it a brand new complete oem hybrid battery from Toyota that’s great let’s see the paperwork and receipt.
If not it’s just another whack a mole battery repair that the seller is trying to stick you with.


Who puts $3200 battery in the car then sells it for less than the battery price?

Keep your wits about you buying a g2 especially off Craigslist there’s lots of guys out there looking to unload a dead hybrid car. They clear all the dash lights and hope the car gets around the corner before they log again.

 

Thank you so much. This is solid advice. Which is why I felt compelled to ask. I'm no mechanic, and this forum serves as a good research tool. I'm thumbing down this Prius!! Thanks again!!

 

welcome!
depends on what you want the car for

 

Whether this vehicle or another, best to run the VIN through https://www.toyota.com/owners for its service history.

The reported history may or not be complete, but it will give you a starting point before running a carfax.