Looking to BUY a Prius V- What do I need to look for?

16 or 17with very low miles to hopefully allow frequent oil and coolant changes. Head gasket failures are too common on all gen3s. Sometimes take out the engine.

Others also recommend teardown of egr system every 50k but my experience is longer is ok if you change the fluids more than factory.

 

You should look for a 2014 or newer; I believe mid to late 2014 had the newer low tension piston rings that prevents excessive oil burn. Look for car histories where the maintenance schedules was followed and if they did 5K mile oils changes with full synthetic oil would be better. Limit your search to southern cars, road salt really rots the undercarriage of these cars.
Also build in the price of a replacement head gasket or ABS replacement into the price of the car - so if either one of those goes, you'll be prepared.

Hope this helps...

 

Info attached: the VIN at which piston rings were revised (the newer ones less prone to develop heavy oil consumption).

 

In 2019 I bought a 2013 Prius v with 80k. The prior owner had it maintained by his local dealer. Oil was changed at 5k intervals. I now have 228,000 miles with oil consumption of 1/2 quart between changes. I had the EGR valve cleaned twice during my ownership. At 205k miles I put in a new traction battery for $1,900. I love the car and I hope it lasts to 300k.


iPhone ?

 

We looked for one briefly, around 2020. I don't think much has changed since- the 2016 & 2017 are the only ones worth getting.

Another note, on safety: the 2012-2014 v got a poor rating for the IIHS small overlap crash test. 2015-2017 got a good grade on the same crash type.

Good luck!

 

look to BUY something else, unless you're feeling lucky, eh?