2006 Toyota Prius with 143k miles, the hybrid battery was replaced (hybrid battery assembly) in 2015 by Toyota dealer with 97,623 miles. I haven't yet checked out the service records on Carfax but it shows that it has 40 reports. The detailed service records on Toyota are updated but at 140,000k there is a note that details: EAM 1,GUEST WAS RECOMMENDED REPAIRS OR SERVICE TO THE VEHICLE AND HAS DECLINED AT THIS TIME. ~|~CUSTOMER STATES MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. ABS, VCS, OTHERS ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE ~|~ ~|~BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY INTERNAL FAILURE/ ACCUMULATOR LOSES PRESSURE 100 REC. TO REMOVE INVERTER AND OTHER COMPONENTS TO GET TO AND REPLACE BRAKE ACTUATOR ASSEMBLY, BLEED COOLANT AND BRAKE FLUID SYSTEM........ CUSTOMER HAS DECLINED AT THIS TIME,GUEST WAS RECOMMENDED REPAIRS OR SERVICE TO THE VEHICLE AND HAS DECLINED AT THIS TIME.,GUEST WAS RECOMMENDED REPAIRS OR SERVICE TO THE VEHICLE AND HAS DECLINED AT THIS TIME. ~|~CUSTOMER STATES DIGITAL MEDIA DISPLAY DOES NOT TURN ON PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE ~|~ ~|~CENTER DIGITAL DISPLAY INOP/ INTERNAL FAILURE... CUSTOMER HAS DECLINED TO REPLACE AT THIS TIME,GUEST WAS RECOMMENDED REPAIRS OR SERVICE TO THE VEHICLE AND HAS DECLINED AT THIS TIME.,***MPI***COMPLETE MULTI POINT INSPECTION PER INSPECTION SHEET INCLUDING ALIGNMENT CHECK, SEE YOUR ~|~CUSTOMER STATES ***MPI***COMPLETE MULTI POINT INSPECTION PER INSPECTION SHEET INCLUDING ALIGNMENT CHECK, SEE YOUR SERVICE CONSULTANT FOR DETAILS CHECK AND RESET TIRE PRESSURES PER CARB AR-32 REGULATION L CC ~|~ ~|~DONE,ITEMS ON TECH CHECK ),FLOOR MAT CONDITION SECURED,GUEST HAS AUTHORIZED EXTERIOR QUICK CAR WASH., The seller notes that the vehicle, "Has already had circuit board on combination meter replaced" and was wondering if that fixes the Digital INOP/Internal failure noted above. The car is listed at $7850, and is one of the better deals I've come across as of recent. How should I go about checking the brake actuator? Any other things a potential should be looking for on a test drive?
see if it runs abnormally long or too frequently when you open the drivers door and while driving. are you familiar? you can almost assume it will need one, or soon. oil burning is another problem, but difficult to check
I've test driven two 2006 models so far. The last test drive (different prius) kept cycling on and off every 10-15 minutes, it sounded as though it were rattling, my guess from the videos I've seen is that it was the brake actuator but I am willing to replace the actuator if needed, the hybrid battery was replaced 7 years ago. Was also wondering if I could talk him down some, the struts and shocks haven't been reported as replaced nor the brake pads/shoes (pads were reported at 97k as: front 4mm, back 3mm)... If there's a way to check the oil consumption I'm willing to hear it. Thanks
Many small repair shops will replace the actuator for modest amount. If that’s all that’s wrong with it, no big deal. Oil consumption is a risk but if it has been serviced regularly as evidenced by CarFax or Toyota then it has probably been taken care of and risk of oil consumption is low. For a 2006, 145,000 miles is normal and indicates it has been used regularly but not over used which is a positive for the HV battery. Ask why they are selling it. Is the catalytic converter a CARB compliant model?
my friend, I may take up your advice but corollas at the moment are in the same ballpark. The plan it to talk the owner of this car down... I've seen that the part is about $1055 on OEM, $1700 from toyota... how much is modest? Assuming maybe a private seller could be much cheaper to buy from. The car has been very well taken care of, it's received most of it's oil changes throughout the years from what I can see. Drive belt and water pump replaced at 97k. and also this... on 4/21 R&R CATALYST CONVERTOR AND HARDWARE, REPLACED 02 SENSOR AND COMPLETED MONITORS R&R CATALYST CONVERTOR AND HARDWARE, REPLACED 02 SENSOR AND COMPLETED MONITORS ~|~CUSTOMER STATES CATALYTIC CONVERTER STOLEN. CHECK AND ADVISE ON REPAIRS ~|~
If the brake actuator/accumulator/pump is cycling every 10-15 minutes then that is nothing to be concerned about. If you meant to write seconds, then yes, it is a legit concern. If it's actually minutes, I would knock out a brake fluid flush and call it good. Front brake pads start around 10mm when new. 4 mm has years of life left. Right or wrong (and everyone has their own preference) the repair manual says to replace when they measure 1mm. Rears are typically replaced every other time fronts get replaced. As for suspension, would it make you feel better if the cheapest possible set of new struts was installed? Because they would likely be of lower quality than the 'aged' OEMs. And 140k isn't very aged nowadays. My 2007 touring with 215k miles still has the OEM struts and it handles better than my 2005 with 6 month old struts. I didn't see any real noticeable improvement when I installed the new 4 strut kit on the 2005. I did it mostly as a PM thing since the car had 341k miles and all the boots were busted up. The only way that I know of to check oil consumption is to mark the level and drive it, preferably about a thousand miles. But if you can mark it and then knock out a high speed run (80+mph) for a couple hundred miles, it would give you a good idea. I've done this measurement sometimes when running between Columbia and Atlanta, since that's almost always going to involve significant mph just to keep up with flow.
That’s what they go for these days. Even more. Ridiculous prices but that’s what makes a market. Could be a used Corolla costs more in California. The Prius requires maintenance and if it’s done properly it will serve you well.
Buying a used car is always risky but if you have the time and do your due diligence it can be rewarding. It is not for everyone. You have to be also a judge of character. If the guy seems shady, run away. Whenever there is any doubt, there is no doubt. Everyone wants a Prius these days.that complicates matters. I’d get an OEM part and not have a dealer install it. There are many hybrid experienced independent shops in LA. It is not rocket science. Many threads on it in PC.
I just noticed that you're in LA. Personally I would NOT want to own a Prius in CA. That CAT was already stolen once and there is a very high probability it'll get stolen again! That, with the uncertainty about the brake actuator, = just not worth the risk!
Also on the actuator see this. The prior owner of my 2007 had an independent shop do it and they were reimbursed by Toyota Often if your nice, talking to Toyota customer relations can get a warranty extension beyond the stated timeline or at least half pay. Brake actuator "warranty extension" from Toyota | PriusChat
One more thing. Toyota really likes it when their customers sell others on the merits of Toyota vehicles. These days Prius’s sell themselves because of mpg but it isn’t all that way. Having fifteen plus year old cars on the street that are running well is a testament to the quality of the product. Unless one is familiar with the evolution of the Prius generations, most people can’t tell that my 2007 is really that old.
So I purchased the car, it ran me $7,600. No lights were on, the lifetime battery rated as 80% (on dr. prius) with a voltage difference ranging from 0.1-0.23. The ABS was replaced from a junk prius, looks like from the carfax report the vehicle was a 2007 with 144k miles. I listened for the noise, I only heard the ABS once or twice while driving (and for a very short period). The air blows cold in all vents, the oil was near full, the brakes didn't feel bad at all. I drove this thing for about an hour, perhaps 25-30 mins on the freeway. All this sounds good but I have one concern and that concern became apparent as I was riding back home... The rear brake from only one side has a slight grind. It doesn't sound terrible but it doesn't make me feel good either. The brakes (rear) were given new rotors and shoes only last year and the car has driven 3-4k miles since. I've made an appointment to get a brake check at my local firestone (Toyota wanted to charge $180, while firestone was free). Is this a matter of lubricant? I don't mind going in there myself, I'd have to buy some tools first. Below I'll attach the service report + part that came with the car... View attachment 225028 View attachment 225029 for the ABS he had someone install it for him.
Do yourself a favor and take the car in to a Prius specialist instead of Firestone. The Prius gen 2 brake system is nothing like what those places are used to encountering. Also, protect that cat otherwise you'll be back here asking about another replacement. Not sure what happened to the above post?!
