You should be aware that there are several used Toyota Prius models available, offering a wide range of choices. But of all green vehicles, the Toyota Prius has the lowest depreciation value, therefore it retains its worth well.
This implies that while buying a used Toyota Prius may not be the best deal, it is also a less dangerous investment. It should be simple to return your investment if you decide the Prius isn’t for you.
In This Article...
What is a good year for a secondhand Prius?
The Toyota Prius’s Best and Worst Years, in brief, are as follows: The Toyota Prius’s greatest and worst model years are 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and the years 20162020, respectively. Before you buy your Toyota Prius, keep an eye out for these years, especially the troublesome ones.
Which Prius year should you avoid buying?
Similar light and engine issues affect several Toyota Prius cars from the same year. The models from the years 2007, 2008, and 2010 are the least dependable; each has had several reports of headlights failing or blowing out and excessive oil usage. You must at all costs stay away from these.
The Toyota Prius models from the years 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2016 aren’t much better either. Similar issues exist with these models, but they either aren’t as serious or haven’t affected as many of them since the model was produced. In either case, we advise staying away from these Toyota Prius year models.
How far can a Toyota Prius travel?
A Toyota Prius owner may anticipate getting between 200,000 and 250,000 miles out of their vehicle with routine maintenance, with some owners exceeding the 300,000-mile milestone and still going strong. The Prius has a well-established history of dependable service for more than two decades as the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle.
How many miles should a secondhand Prius have?
Toyota Prius owners say that with regular maintenance visits, it’s simple to cross 200,000 miles without experiencing any significant problems. Even some Prius owners who have driven their vehicles for more than 300,000 miles continue to do so. Because the bulk of potential problems are so preventable, drivers claim that a Prius extremely rarely experiences issues.
In order to safeguard the inverter, one of the most expensive components, it is advised to frequently change the transmission fluid. To avoid battery deterioration, drivers advise parking in the shade and making frequent use of the air conditioning.
Toyota is well known for producing dependable automobiles. Both the Camry and Sienna can travel more than 200,000 miles, according to a Consumer Reports research that gathered data from drivers. Both the Camry and earlier Sienna models are just as dependable as a Prius. This list also included the Toyota Tundra, which has an extraordinarily high reliability rating for a truck.
Are repairs for Prius expensive?
Over the course of its first ten years of use, a Toyota Prius will require roughly $4,008 in maintenance and repairs.
This is $2,756 less than the industry average for popular hatchback models. Additionally, there is an 11.22% risk that a Prius will need a significant repair at that time. Compared to similar vehicles in its sector, this is 10.28% better. The following graph shows how these expenses and the likelihood of repairs will rise over time.
Do Prius problems frequently occur?
One of the most often reported issues with the 2010 Toyota Prius is engine issues. Some owners claim that a wide range of engine-related problems, including blown head gaskets, stalling, overheating, and hesitancy, have occurred with their cars.
What does a Prius battery replacement cost?
The Prius battery is no exception to the rule that hybrid and electric car batteries are more expensive than gas-powered automobile batteries. A new Toyota Prius battery can run you anywhere from $2,200 to $4,100.
Remember that even a used Prius battery costs roughly $1,500 when calculating the cost. You’ll be looking at a substantially bigger bill once labor costs and additional charges from your mechanic are taken into account. To maintain the lowest pricing possible:
- Obtain price quotes from mechanics. Prius frequently need specialist work, but every mechanic will charge labor in their own way. A different store might have a better offer for you.
- Think about switching to a different model. A new Prius can run for years without any problems, but you will need to pay the difference in price between it and your old one.
- Comparative-shop for batteries. It’s unlikely that the first battery you come across will be the lowest choice.
Although replacing the battery in your Prius is expensive, Jerry can help you save money on your auto insurance. The Jerry app, a certified broker, assists customers in saving an average of roughly $900 annually on auto insurance. Jerry can assist you in finding and comparing inexpensive quotes from more than 50 leading companies, including Progressive and Travelers, for free when you provide your information.
Can I purchase a Prius with a high mileage?
Consider purchasing a Toyota Prius with a high mileage. It should be okay as the owner claimed that the area was primarily roadway. Here are the things you should know before purchasing a Prius with high or low mileage.
You’ve decided to purchase a Toyota Prius, and the owner has informed you that the majority of their miles were driven on the highway. That ought to give you comfort, right?
The truth is that both high mileage and low mileage scenarios have advantages and disadvantages. When considering a secondhand Prius with “all highway” mileage, keep these considerations in mind.
You need to comprehend something when a Prius has a greater mileage, let’s say over 200,000, and the current owner claims that all of those miles were on the highway.
Long-distance highway driving typically keeps a car’s temperature at or near “ideal” levels. This indicates that the car isn’t typically driven on rough roads or subjected to a lot of heat cycling. It also implies that the brakes are not getting used as often.
In general, a car that travels a lot of miles on smooth roads each year should have few to no problems. Driving and using the vehicle as intended.
With routine maintenance, there should be little wear on important parts like the engine and transmission. A higher mileage Prius may be a smart purchase if these services have been completed.
Higher mileage vehicles can, however, have flaws. They are more susceptible to difficulties because they have been used more.
Can Prius compete with Corolla?
The 2021 Corolla Hybrid and Prius are clearly and significantly different from one another. The vehicle’s performance capabilities and price are the key variations. The Prius has a restricted selection of engines and transmissions, despite having an electric drivetrain. The Corolla, however, provides a wide range of possibilities. The Prius is moreover a little more pricey. In the end, a Toyota hybrid is a great choice.
How frequently must I operate my Prius?
For a battery to be kept in good condition, we recommend running for 60 minutes at least once per week. A regular start-up of the car on a normal petrol or diesel engine requires roughly 20 minutes of running to put back into the battery what you remove on start-up.
What drawbacks does a Prius have?
1. Passengers in the second row can feel crammed.
The Prius isn’t the most accommodating vehicle in terms of passenger capacity, with only 33.4 inches of leg room in the rear seat. Three adults might not fit as comfortably in the back, where adults may feel a touch cramped. It probably shouldn’t be a problem if someone just occasionally transports three people in the backseat and only occasionally has rear-seat passengers.
2. Slouches Down Near the Ground
The only ground above is 5.1 inches. This isn’t much, and some people might question the Prius’ suitability as a vehicle for driving up inclines. The all-wheel-drive technology can be handy when winter weather strikes, but it won’t be as effective if the car has difficulties clearing particular sections of the road.
3. More Power Is Required
The undersized engine of the 2021 Prius is arguably its biggest detriment. It has a 1.8-liter engine and an electric motor, and the two of them work together to produce 121 horsepower. Nowadays, a lot of buyers want more power, so the Prius won’t cut it for them, especially because some hybrids are considerably more capable than others.
Can a Prius battery be changed?
According to Exclusively Hybrid, the Prius battery typically lasts 8 to 10 years and travels 120,000 to 160,000 miles before needing to be changed. However, how each driver operates their Prius will have an impact on how long the battery lasts. Intense daily driving habits will also have an impact on the battery’s lifetime. Older batteries will deteriorate more quickly than newer batteries. Driving and charging in hot or cold temperatures can also have an impact on the battery.
In states with emission regulations, such as California, warranties will cover the replacement of Prius batteries for 10 years or 150,000 miles. For Prius cars produced prior to 2020, Toyota offers an official warranty that lasts for 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. A 20-year or 150,000-mile extended warranty is available for Prius cars manufactured in 2020 and after. If a driver experiences a battery issue within the parameters of their warranty, their nearby Toyota dealership will take care of the repair and installation at no additional cost.
However, those who exceed the warranty’s coverage limits would incur significant charges. According to Cash Car Buyers, depending on the year and model, a Prius battery replacement can cost as little as $2,000, contrary to Car and Driver’s explanation that it can cost as much as $4,033. Users are becoming more adept at installing batteries on their own to save on installation and maintenance charges. Purchasing old or remanufactured batteries, which cost, on average, $1,500, is another way to save costs. However, buyers can search about for a better offer. In some situations, batteries can also be repaired. According to businesses like Exclusively Hybrid, the price to repair a Prius battery can range from $499 to $1,890 depending on how many broken cells there are.
Which model year of Prius suffers head gasket issues?
In comparison to the majority of other Toyota vehicles, the Gen3 Prius’ head gasket is more likely to fail. 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 are the affected years. I’ve never experienced a generational issue before, and the Gen4 hasn’t caused any problems either (2016 and newer).
How long are Prius batteries good for?
If you drive your hybrid vehicle for extended periods of time, you might need to replace the battery about every five years on average. However, if you don’t, the battery would most likely only last 100,000150,000 miles, or eightten years, instead.
How frequently should Prius batteries be changed?
One of the best examples of how hybrid vehicles function is the Toyota Prius. According to Toyota, the battery should last the entire life of the vehicle. Whatever the case, it ought to last for more than 150,000 miles or ten years.
The best part is that when you change a Prius battery, you have choices. You can choose from reconditioned batteries instead of having to budget $4,000 for a brand-new battery.
The Longest Lasting Battery
How long do hybrid batteries last? can be answered at this point. The best part is that you know what to do to extend the life of your battery to its maximum potential.
Make an appointment with us or simply look at our services if you need a mechanic who can maintain and service your hybrid.