Prius has been sitting for 5 years

Something sitting that long, I would check for rodent damage.

 

Stabil added to the tank and a few quick bounces on the vehicle should take care of most water separation if your not inclined to pull/dump the tank...just like any other car. A shot or two Quick Start down the throttle body before hand wouldn't hurt either. When you go to Ready Mode/Start, press the gas pedal right away to kick in the engine.

 

I have seen this rodent issue come up a few times now, but always related to the northeast United States.

Is this rodent issue a northeast problem or places where is snows?




iPhone ?

 

There could me mildew/fungus in the upholstery, depending on climate, conditions in the garage, care taken when mothballing the car, if any. Come to think of it, mothballs literally might have been a good idea.

 

Wildlife will set up housekeeping wherever they find a suitable environment. Some places are prone to bats. "About forty percent of all mammal species are rodents; they are found in vast numbers on all continents except Antarctica. They are the most diversified mammalian order and live in a variety of terrestrial habitats, including human-made environments."

Jim, I think you got a "find". If you buy the car you should have the record for least number of miles on a 2010 Prius.

 

Oh yeah probably golden OK if it has been used in 2014. I might not worry about the fuel in that case unless I thought there was something. Good car. Think I replace the 12v and brake adjust and wait and see. I do think Tires >5 years may lose grip on wet roads, as we held onto to some tires too long.

 

good news. what was the HV charge level? if the car sat only one year, there should be no major issues. i would top the gas tank with fresh quality fuel, something like chevron premium, pump the tires, and do oil change. i would also load test the 12V and replace if weak.

 

Really anywhere but colder climes are especially prime for invasions. Having a good food supply (pet food, open garbage, etc) doesn't help either.

 

Sounds like you found an early barn find! Good for you and happy motoring!!

 

Don't be to too quick to machine rotors, if mechanics are suggesting. Particularly if there's no pulsing. Drive it for a bit, they may clean themselves with some use.

 

Good Christmas story/got tears in my eyes.

 

Hey, I'm going to give you a simple and nearly useless answer. Because it's what I'm good at.

But I would think in this situation you would have all the "standard" concerns you would have with any ICE vehicle that has sat unused for 5 years, with the addition of concerns about the hybrid battery and 12 volt.

You've already got and evidently taken some great advice about what to check.

Depending on what you are paying? Could be a great deal, even if it needs some investment into "Benjamin Button"- ing some of the systems that have sat unused for so long.

 

It sounds like the car is pretty solid. Given that it has not been driven there are unknowns that even the dealer will not be able to answer. Time and use will provide the answers. I would cover my risk of the unknown in the price I would be willing to pay. Find some examples of 2010 Prius vehicles with 30k to 40k used and their pricing.

Drive it a bit more if you can in varied condition over an hour or so. Then subtract $2000 from the asking price of similar higher mileage Priuses for sale. The lack of use with the Prius you are considering is not an advantage it is a risk. Try and cover that risk.

 

Sure, check for rodent damage.
Check the fuel system.
Check the Hybrid Battery.
Check the 12 volt.

But you're missing the big hurdle.

It's going to be haunted.

 

Is the car named "Christine"?

 

Sleeping Beauty...


iPhone ?

 

You might not have to disclose "How" it failed, but somebody along the line is going to notice that it's a 5 year old vehicle with only 5000 miles on it.
You won't need Sherlock Holmes to make the deductive leap that it has sat idle a lot.

The question would be, would Toyota still back the Hybrid Battery warranty, given that the vehicle wasn't kept active, or the battery allowed to charge?

I think it would take a level of good will from Toyota. Non-Activity at that level, for that long, I think could be construed as neglect. Of course I would ask, nothing to lose.

 

I'm thinking more along the lines of a Frankenstein movie: the car slowly raised on a lift, the roof opening, lightning ablazing: "it's ALIVE!!".

 

If Toyota doesn't have any clause that says "can't let car sit idle for long periods", they would have to honor the warranty for the hv battery. Maybe we'll see this in the 2016? "car sit idle for 5 years will void warranty"