Looking to buy a 2015 Prius Four w 144k miles - what to look for in pre-inspection

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by LisaPDX, Jan 12, 2025 at 2:07 PM.

  1. LisaPDX

    LisaPDX New Member

    Joined:
    Sunday
    1
    1
    0
    Location:
    Portland
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Liking to buy a 2015 Prius Four W 144k miles. What to have my mechanic look for in ore-inspection? Thanks in advance.
     
    #1 LisaPDX, Jan 12, 2025 at 2:07 PM
    bisco likes this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,571
    50,262
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    make sure it isn't burning oil, and check the egr circuit for clogging. pray it doesn't already have a blown head gasket with sealant added to the coolant to try to fool you.
    and be ready for a potential brake actuator failure
     
    #2 bisco, Jan 12, 2025 at 9:05 PM
    Brian1954 likes this.
  3. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,255
    4,106
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    You can’t do a test drive and know it’s burning oil in an hour drive cycle.
     
    #3 Grit, Jan 13, 2025 at 1:14 AM
  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,255
    4,106
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Once you purchase it, save an additional $5,000 aside for upcoming repairs because saving gas cost a lot of money.
     
    #4 Grit, Jan 13, 2025 at 1:16 AM
    bisco likes this.
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,571
    50,262
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
     
    #5 bisco, Jan 13, 2025 at 10:36 AM
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Witness Leader

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    57,319
    39,558
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Never hurts to check the dipstick; seller may have forgotten to top it up. Also, look for oil bottles stockpiled in the under-floor tray. :)

    a 2015 should be ok on the oil front: Toyota wised up and revised the pistons/rings partway through model year 2014.

    At 144k miles the EGR clogging will be coming along and ensuing head gasket failure may have started. This can be seller’s motivation.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Jan 13, 2025 at 5:11 PM
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2025 at 5:16 PM
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)