What to Consider When Buying a Used Hybrid Car

Hybrids are steadily winning the hearts of car enthusiasts. In 2021, Europeans officially purchased over eight thousand used cars with hybrid setups on the secondary market. This is twice as many as in 2020.

The average age of these cars is four years at the time of purchase, but there is a high percentage of hybrids aged between six to ten years.

This statistic is important to highlight the growing trend of acquiring cars with hybrid systems. It is crucial to look at key indicators and vehicle history to avoid buying a lemon.

Let's delve into how to buy a used hybrid car, what to pay attention to, and where to conduct a thorough diagnosis before making a purchase.

The article features tips from STS Electro engineers – the first specialized service center for electric and hybrid vehicles.

Remote Information Check

When choosing a hybrid, check:

• Accident history: Use special online services to check if the car has been in an accident.
• Incident history: Use Vin-Code and Google to check if the car has been involved in unpleasant incidents.
• Taxi service usage: Verify this information with the seller or use local independent experts' services. They can check for scratches on the car roof from the taxi sign, among other parameters.

Note: Hybrid cars are often used in taxi services, which can be financially advantageous.

Before sending the car from an auction, ask the seller to disconnect the 12-volt battery to prevent it from discharging during transit.

Wrecked or Not

This parameter can be tracked through photos remotely. If the car has been in an accident, it is essential to analyze the collision site. For example, a collision on the left side of a Toyota Prius can be critical as the inverter and PDM block are located there.

Flooded or Not

Check this on special online services and ask the seller clarifying questions.

In hybrids, the battery is located high, and mild flooding (a deep puddle) is not critical for the high-voltage battery but is dangerous for wiring and control blocks. However, the consequences of full or partial flooding may be incompatible with the car's life.

High-Voltage Hybrid Battery

One of the most expensive components in a hybrid car. Therefore, before buying, we recommend:

• Remote check: Check the manufacturer's battery warranty period. Typically, it's eight years.
• On-site purchase from a private seller: Check the battery under load while driving, ensuring there are no sharp jumps in battery charge indication: from fully charged to a sudden drop in charge. This is the first sign of a hybrid battery malfunction.
• On-site: Check the condition of the battery elements with a scanner under load. This is done at a specialized service center. STS Electro has equipment like the MS800 stand, designed for diagnosing high-voltage nickel-metal hydride batteries in Toyota, Lexus, and Honda hybrids, simultaneously checking up to 36 modules.

When a car is not used for a long time – first at an auction, then delivered by ship – irreversible processes begin in the battery.

Video about a discharged battery of a Renault ZOE hybrid car after an auction is available at the end of the article.

Inverter Coolant Pump

It is crucial to diagnose the condition of the circulation pump of the inverter cooling system (inverter coolant pump) before purchase. It is challenging to do this remotely, but when buying privately, check when the pump was last replaced.

If the inverter coolant pump has not been replaced, and the hybrid mileage is over 120,000 km, there is a risk of the internal combustion engine or inverter failing.

Cooling System

A weak point in the operation of cars with hybrid systems. Check the following:

• Coolant level: Ideally, replace it every four years. If the recommended replacement has not been performed, and the car has been used, the entire power unit will suffer.
• Condition of cooling system hoses.
• Heater operation: If the warm air supply is disrupted, the problem is likely in the antifreeze or cooling system.

Check the inverter coolant pump and cooling system at a specialized service center for hybrid cars, such as STS Electro. Technicians here are focused on hybrid repair and know where to look first.

Other Key Areas to Check

Scan the following components when buying a used hybrid car:

• Steering rack.
• Brake Booster of the braking system.
• Transmission or gearbox.
• SRS safety system.
• Catalytic converter (Toyota Prius).

Note: The catalytic converter contains precious metals, and resellers often cut it out to sell on the black market.

When purchasing a used hybrid car, consider the country of assembly. In other words, a mechanic from a neighboring garage is unlikely to have experience diagnosing hybrid and high-voltage systems. Add to this the absence of dealer equipment and the difficulty of finding genuine spare parts.

A good formula to follow is to first find a specialized service center, then diagnose the car, and only then make a purchase.

Before buying, it is essential to check a hybrid car thoroughly. Contact STS Electro – the first specialized service center for electric and hybrid vehicles.