Looking for a used Prius. Need help on what to look for.

Sorry I got REALLY lazy.

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No problems between different years. Welcome and I encourage you to keep visiting this forum, there's so much to learn!

 

You might want to inquire into the specific vehicle's service history. The toyota.com website has the maintenance schedule for all models including Prius so you can see what is required at 60K miles (a "major" service) as well as at other mileage intervals. Nothing necessarily has to have been replaced at 80K miles beyond what you'll see in the maintenance schedule (primarily periodic engine oil and oil/air filter changes).

2004-2005 may have problems with the MFD, due to a bad solder connection within. In areas with high ambient temps, you may notice that the dark grey plastic LED brake light area of the rear exterior lights shows sagging within the plastic interior. The inverter coolant pump is a known trouble area. There were a number of SSCs (special service campaign, aka recall) that need to be applied, such as intermediate steering shaft replacement and engine/hybrid vehicle ECU firmware reflash.

2006-2007 may have problems with HID headlights. Supposedly the inverter coolant pump has an improved design, however you'll still see complaints of pump failures from owners of newer model year Prius.

 

In CA where you are, the pink slip and reg. are good to see. It tells if the car is one owner, where the party lived, and the initial mileage if one owner. It also will tell if it has been salvaged. A clean CA car from a dry area is a positive all over the car sales world, seems obvious I know. I bought a used van with very high mileage and was surprised the CA pink showed an original local owner, the car had 23 miles at delivery. Since they paid about 32k for the van new, it is more likely it had some care. Just my 2 c.

 

When looking for a used car, I look at the owner.

Is he/she the first owner? Does the owner looks like he would cheap on maintenance? What is his/her house like? Neighborhood?
What is the reason for selling the car?
Is owner ready to give his/her home address for you to come look at the car (means he has nothing to be afraid of if the buyer knows his/her home address) or suggests to meet at the gas station?
Able to answer questions about maintenance? Has a decent technical knowledge about cars?

As for 80 k miles probably nothing should be replaced beside regular oil changes, tires & air filter, except maybe a 12V battery and transmission fluid.

Thanks,
- Alex

 

Pay a tech at a different Toyota dealer to thoroughly inspect the car before buying. As with every modern car so much hard-to-find stuff can be wrong with one it'll make you ill.

 

Thanks for the above advise. It sure makes sence, now to find a tech who won't want a body part as payment.