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Buying 2016 w/134k miles

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by kazina, Sep 29, 2022.

  1. kazina

    kazina New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2022
    2
    1
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    Location:
    GA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Looking for advice on purchase. Buying from private party, 1 minor accident, oil changes at regular intervals. Never serviced by dealer. What should I be looking for? I have an obd scanner and the Dr Prius app I intend to use when I meet with seller to inspect car.
     
  2. Jburner

    Jburner Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2022
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    43
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    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Not much to inspect on this car. I did the same thing but at 95k less than a year ago. Main thing that might go wrong is the exhaust heat exchanger and you’ll notice smoke from the exhaust and the coolant will be low to almost gone in the reservoir.

    Where and how bad was the accident? That would be my only concern.

    Scanner won’t tell you much more than the lights and sensors already do on these cars. If a check engine light is on, read the code.

    Did you ask if coolant had been changed? How about plugs? Tranny fluid? Other than that, and maybe brakes, these cars have virtually no problems.
     
    bisco likes this.
  3. kazina

    kazina New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2022
    2
    1
    0
    Location:
    GA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Plugs, tranny fluid, and coolant have most likely NEVER been changed. He said its been mostly highway miles.
    His fender bender left the car drivable supposedly, so he drove it to get repaired. I want to replace the plugs and fluids as soon as I get it. IF I find issues, such as new battery replacement imminent, etc should I just haggle the price down? Currently he wants 14k for 134k miles, 2016
     
    douglasjre likes this.
  4. Doug McC

    Doug McC Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 2022
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    382
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    Location:
    Midwest
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius
    Model:
    XLE
    Biggest question for me would be “why are they selling it?”. Very few Prius owners sell if they are running good. When we were looking the best advice we got was “there are very few good deals on used Priuses” because owners don’t let good ones go very easily.
    And why was it never serviced by a dealership? THAT would make me very cautious (unless the current owner volunteered why without me asking).
    And what is meant by “minor accident”? A simple fender bender can be a major problem with all the safety sensors if the repair isn’t done properly and the calibration performed correctly. The cruise control alone is more complicated than most body shops are used to (it uses radar that is mounted behind the Toyota emblem).
    I suggest having it gone over by a dealership before agreeing to purchase. FWIW
     
    #4 Doug McC, Sep 30, 2022
    Last edited: Sep 30, 2022