What does a prius 2008 130k miles means if it had battery replaced 7 years ago?

Hello,

I’m considering to buy this Toyota Prius 2008 gen 2 touring edition:

2008 Toyota Prius-Clean - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle...

The seller says that he currently has 130k, he’s the second owner (first owner was private too) and claims:
“He avgs 45mpg so battery is still healthy. I believe it was replaced maybe 7 years ago by the dealer, but he moved and does not have the records. ”

When I asked him what kind of battery was it replaced to and if it was OEM, he says he doesn’t know if the replaced battery was OEM, but said the 12V battery that was replaced in back was for sure replaced with an aftermarket battery not OEM. Is there a way to check the health of his front battery and to know much battery left or what’s quality is it?

Then he also mentions:

“Just had new tires installed maybe 4k miles ago.($800). He also had a full tune up and mechanic recommended he replace full front shock assembly including top hats, and springs. He also replaced front sway bar links, air filter, cabin air filter, and windshield wipers.”

Why such a relatively low mileage car would you need to replace the full front shock assembly including top hats? from what I understand this could be a serious issue and cost at least 1K to repair and why would he need to put the most expensive tires Costco Michelins for $800 is it to try to mask the issues or the symptoms with the full front shock assembly? Could the car been in an accident or some damage happened on it’s front portion that these issues exist?

but later he says “title in hand, never been in an accident. Car needs nothing.“, which slightly contradicts what his mechanic says that’s needed.

Do you think guys these are red flags about the car if the main front battery was replaced 7 years ago, so that means it had replaced around 50-60k - is it a known issue with this car that original battery goes bad for no reason? Like I owned this car from 100k to 200k miles and never had to do anything like that (my friend who had it also didn’t need to change his front battery) let alone doing any full front shock assembly repair which could imply the following issues (please correct me if I’m wrong):
If you're wondering whether your vehicle needs to have the shocks or struts replaced, look for the following 6 signs:

• Bumpy ride. ...
• Steering problems. ...
• Braking problems. ...
• Fluid leaks. ...
• Unusual tire tread wear. ...
• Mileage.

Do I understand the issues of this car correctly? Just making sure I’m not getting a lemon I see his ad been on craigslist for 30 days so maybe there is some issue if nobody bought it yet?... Does someone has Carfax to check please if I gave you his VIN?

Thank you guys!

 

Am I allowed to go to a toyota dealer and ask for the service records by providing the VIN number only? Is it free? Is the Toyota Owners requires you to register? Is it free to check on their website? EDIT: I created an account on toyota owners, I added that VIN, ok I see it show service records available, thanks

What is “pony up the fiver for the Carfax?” I’m seeing one report cost $50 and 5 reports cost $100 on CarFax? Is it a way to get it for less?

Ok but what about the other issues I mentioned about original battery replaced 7 years ago and full front shock assembly that needs a repair according to his mechanic? You say just visually confirm the cat is OEM but also I think I need test drive the car... How much less to offer?

 

Yes according to CarFax, "a single report costs $39.99. Of course, you might want to buy more than one CarFax report if you're currently shopping for a car. You can get three CarFax vehicle history reports for $59.99 or six for $99.99"

Yes, they don't have the records as the seller mentions about the battery: "I believe it was replaced maybe 7 years ago by the dealer, but he moved and does not have the records." - How do I use Hybrid Assistant, and graph the HV battery while under load or torque/techstream, by watching the modules while under load (heavy braking or accelerating) - Any simple video or guide that shows how to do that? Is this all for diagnosing the HV battery?
"you would look at the outside case for signs, then go inside the pack and check the module serial #s." - How do I do that, is it easy to access it by opening the hood? Any simple video or guide for that as well? Also what does that mean if the original battery was replaced by the dealer as he claims should it show under the service records history below? 7 years ago that would be 2016, but I only see there something about HV in 8/2013 “REPLACE THE HV ELECTRIC WATER PUMP” is that the same thing? And in general, what does that mean that the original battery had to be replaced so early, this is not typical for this car, is it?

I checked on VINCheck doesn't say it was in accident, these are the Toyota services records:

"10/2019
SERVICE TYPE
Dealer
MILEAGE
103,722
SERVICES
COMPLIMENTARY 4 WHEEL HUNTER ALIGNMENT CHECK,INSPECT TOYOTA DRIVERS FLOOR MAT,PERFORM REQUESTED MULTI-POINT INSPECTION AND REVIE W RESULTS WITH CUSTOMER.,NEXT SCHEDULED SERVICE VIST _____-_____-_____,BODY,

View Details
11/2018
SERVICE TYPE
Dealer
MILEAGE
98,265
SERVICES
NONE AT THIS TIME,REPLACED WATER PUMP W/ DRIVE BELTS,CUSTOMER DOES NOT WANT WORK DONE,CUSTOMER DOES NOT WANT WORK DONE,CUSTOMER DOES NOT WANT WORK DONE,INFLATED TIRES TO: LF_35______ RF__35_______ LR____33______ RR_____33__,PERFORM MULTI POINT INSPECTION, INCLUDES FLOOR MAT INSPECTION,REPLACED BULB,REPLACED BULB,

View Details
12/2013
SERVICE TYPE
Dealer
MILEAGE
61,197
SERVICES
REPLACED AUXILARY BATTERY,CABIN AIR (AC) FILTER - REPLACE,SERPENTINE / DRIVE BELT - REPLACE,INSTALL WIPER BLADES / INSERTS,HID HEADLIGHT BULB ASSEMBLY - REPLACE (PASSENGER SIDE),

View Details
8/2013
SERVICE TYPE
Dealer
MILEAGE
59,560
SERVICES
REC,DRIVE BELTS, ALL, R&R,INFLATED TIRES TO: LF_____32__ RF______32___ LR_____32_____ RR____32___,WASH CAR,REPLACE THE HV ELECTRIC WATER PUMP - PRIUS,C0T INSPECT BOLT HOLE AND RE PLACE BOLT ONLY - PRIUS,PERFORMED RECALL,

View Details
7/2008
SERVICE TYPE
Dealer
MILEAGE
9
SERVICES
PDI"

Anything suspicious here? I see a big gap between 7/2008 and 8/2013 (5 years) that there were no service records - Is that normal?
I also see some stuff here such: "WATER PUMP W/ DRIVE BELT", "REPLACE THE HV ELECTRIC WATER PUMP" and "REPLACED WATER PUMP W/ DRIVE BELTS".

Looks like the second owner (current seller) bought it from the original private owner at 116k on 2022-01-21 and is now selling it one year later at 130k miles which seems reasonable. Car is originally from Visalia, CA which is the central valley of California and can get pretty hot during the summer.

How can I tell if if the odometer was rolled back? Or based on the history I found on Toyota/VINCheck it seems to be ok?
"older HV battery replacement" - How long can this battery last before going bad? How much to get another battery? I want it to last with this car until 300k, is it possible?

You not buying it, because you're not interested in older cars or why?

Thank you for your help!

 

Maybe they don’t want to pay for the smog until someone actually buys it?
What do you think about the original battery being replaced 7 years ago, is it a bad sign? And the fact that his mechanic said to replace full front shock assembly with top hats and springs, is that serious?

He said he will let me come to inspect it too...

But you might be making a good point, it is a little weird... Along with the other things like the battery and full front shock assembly repair he mentioned like why would mention that unless you need to explain some existing issues with the car?

 

What do you think about the original battery being replaced 7 years ago, is it a bad sign? And the fact that his mechanic said to replace full front shock assembly with top hats and springs, is that serious? Where can I inspect it and how much will it cost? Where do you see in the ad that he already replaced the suspension?

 

I met the car/person car drives ok he showed me the receipt for the new cat.

There is some odor inside the car which might be related to his dog, not sure how easy it is to get rid of it.
I drove it on the fwy and on the street, noticed that in consumption the bar never shows more than 50 mpg:



I remember with my previous prius it the yellow bar was reaching 75 at times, but not sure if this is right.
We said I’ll next take to an inspection next but I’ll need to think about this and whatever I rather get something better and newer.

 

Nope