Should I buy? Check Engine Light on Service History

welcome!

check engine can mean a lot of things. on a car that new, unless there was an accident, i can't imagine it was anything serious. if it was repaired at a toyota dealer, it is in the computer.

plug the vin into the toyota owners website, and you'll get all the service records.

all the best!

 

Could be anything from a loose gas cap to a dying traction battery. Best advice is just to get it inspected by a 3rd party (such as a mechanic you trust). If the dealer isn't willing to let you get an independent pre-purchase inspection, run, don't walk, right out of there.

 

Frustrating that happens to be the LAST entry in the service history.
Sort of like reading a mystery novel and having the last page with the resolution missing.

Plus correct me if I'm wrong, but plugging your VIN into the Toyota website was how you got this information to start with?

If it wasn't, yeah try that.

Are you buying this private party or through a dealership?
If you are buying through a dealership, is the dealership the vehicle was serviced at, that is refusing to reveal any information about the check engine light, the same dealership you are buying from?

Worst case scenario, private party OR through a dealership you could insist on a independent pre-purchase inspection. Which if I couldn't get to the bottom of the "Check Engine Light" mystery I might be very apt to do.

 

Like one of the other Prius members posted it could have been as simple as the gas cap not being tightened properly enough. This actually happened to me a couple of weeks ago. I pushed the start button and the "check engine light" came on. Within a day or two I took it to my local Toyota dealer and suspected that the gas cap hadn't been set tightly enough. To Toyota's credit the service writer told me to drive it for a couple more days and if the "check engine light" did not disappear to bring it back for a check. This saved me $147 diagnosis fee. He explained it would take about 6-8 cycles. In fact the "check engine light" did not come on after approximately 8 cycles. I was relieved and now make sure I tighten the gas cap after each fill. Here in New Jersey, they still have gas attendants. I hope this helps.

 

What is this program? Any web site?

 

Dying traction battery won't show check engine light. It would displayed check hybrid system, VSC, etc.

 

I don't see this as a big problem, as long as there's no check hybrid system or the big red triangle light showing on the dash.
But the dealer may have erased it though.
Just like @bisco aaif, check the history online.
Another thing is to make sure he allows for a testdrive. That way, if there was something hidden, although this depends on the drive cycle of a potential problem, the check engine or check hybrid system light may pop up.
Can you asks the dealer, if you can check the car's live data of the battery, using a code reader?
Asides those, then if I were the one, I'd buy the car.

 

Wouldn't the check engine light also turn on since without the traction battery, normal engine operations also wouldn't function? That's how it worked in my previous honda civic hybrid.

Also, the issue was coming from Toyota's service history website, not a look at the car. I could easily see multiple warning lights being on, but only the 'check engine' one being listed.

 

As mentioned, it's likely to have been something very minor. Toyota's Techstream diagnostic software will check for any present codes and also tell you if there are codes in the car's history. I'm not sure how long the car keeps the history, but it should be long enough to either reassure you or give you concern.

If this dealer specializes in plug ins, they probably have Techstream. I'd ask them to check it and let you see the results as they check as a condition of buying it.

 

OK..yes the reason the check engine light illuminated....which is all we know...COULD be minor. Maybe it was minor, and resolved. MAYBE.

But it's a little mysterious and raises some questions that's there's only notation that it was brought in for service in regards to this, but no notation about resolution. Usually most service centers will note...brought in for problem X....resolved through action Y.

Which just means we don't know.

A car is a big investment, I would at least at this point, want diagnostics ran, to see if there are stored codes. I'd probably want an independent mechanic NOT related to the selling dealership to check the vehicle out.

It might all be a waste of money. It might all be over something simple. BUT....it's worth it IMO just in case it's not. You don't want to buy it, own it, be responsible for it, and have the check engine light illuminate 2 weeks into ownership and THEN find out what it's all about.

I try to limit my gambling to budgeted trips and only in Casino environments.

 

Your Honda isn't a full hybrid. It has a separate starter 12V that can start the engine.
A Prius isn't designed that way.

 

Hi "Stubbygirdle". I applied for Replace Your Ride, was pre-approved, they asked me to select my vehicle, and naturally, selected a 2019 Prius Prime Plus. They told me the approval process would take anywhere from 3-5 weeks and I'm now on my 6th week and my current status is still "Under Review".

How long did your process take after you had selected your vehicle and submitted the window sticker and all the necessary documents?


Thanks again!!

SAL+