A used Prius or other Toyota hybrid can be a superb buy: reliable, cheap to run and well understood. Many have done big mileages in taxi and private hire work, though, and the hybrid battery is the one part that can turn a bargain into a large bill. These checks tell you what you are buying.
1. Read the MOT history
The MOT history of any car is free to check on GOV.UK with the registration number. Look at the mileage over the years, the advisories (brake pipes, discs, tyres, corrosion) and whether the same issues come back. A car that has been used for private hire usually shows high yearly mileages.
2. Ask for the service history
Regular servicing to the Toyota or Lexus schedule matters more on a high-mileage hybrid. Look for evidence that the battery cooling fan and the brakes have been looked after, not just oil changes.
3. Have the hybrid battery tested
This is the check that matters most. A battery can feel fine on a short test drive and still have weak modules. A battery health check measures every module and tells you the state of the pack before you pay. If the seller will not allow it, that tells you something too.
4. The test drive
- The car should start silently and show "READY" without hesitation
- At low speed it should move off on electric power and the engine should start and stop smoothly
- No warning lights or messages, before or during the drive
- The brakes should feel progressive, with no grinding or pulling
- Watch the battery display: a battery that drops to empty or jumps to full very quickly can be a sign of weak modules
5. Look for heat and neglect
- A blocked or dusty battery cooling intake near the rear seats
- Signs that the car has stood unused for a long time, which is hard on batteries
- Interior wear that does not match the mileage
6. The 12V battery
An old 12V auxiliary battery causes starting problems and strange warning lights. It is a cheap fix, but worth knowing about when you negotiate.
A pre-purchase check with us
If you are looking at a hybrid in North London, we can check it before you buy: battery health module by module, a scan of the hybrid system and a look at the brakes, cooling and the usual wear items. Call us on 020 3218 0077 to arrange it.