Things to know before buying Used Hybrid Vehicle

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KillerHulk

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Topic # 240424 7-Sep-2018 10:14

i am thinking to buy a used Hybrid car.

Something like https://www.buyrightcars.co.nz/used-cars-for-sale/2013-honda-fit-45946

What are the things i need to check before i proceed ?

BTW - only looking for a used small vehicle (fit, prius c, aqua etc)

Is it worth? let me know please

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Reply # 2085717 7-Sep-2018 15:28

I would been keen to know as well; I am currently wondering if it is a wise decision for me to try and reduce my ever climbing petrol bill, by getting rid of my current car (Mazda3) is favour of a hybrid (purchasing a full EV is out of the question at the moment), though I am not sure if combining the cost of a new(ish) car (less any trade in) + still needing to purchase petrol will actually save me any money - I also don't fully understand how each different type of hybrid works, and what type of hybrid any potential cars are ..

xpd

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Reply # 2085735 7-Sep-2018 15:47

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One thing I was primarily warned of, back when hybrids starting coming into the country, was to get the battery checked. A lot came in with almost dead batteries, so while you thought you were getting a cheap car, the battery would pack up and you'd pay a small fortune replacing it.

I know the batteries have dropped a lot in the past few years, but still worth checking.

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Sideface

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Reply # 2085767 7-Sep-2018 16:29

xpd:

One thing I was primarily warned of, back when hybrids starting coming into the country, was to get the battery checked. A lot came in with almost dead batteries, so while you thought you were getting a cheap car, the battery would pack up and you'd pay a small fortune replacing it. ...

eg half the price of the car - buyer beware!

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alasta

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Reply # 2085792 7-Sep-2018 16:58

What is your reason for wanting to buy a hybrid? I would have thought that operating costs would be the main motivation, but buying an older vehicle from a cowboy importer will increase your TCO enough to offset the benefit of the powertrain. If you are on a tight budget then you would be better to keep it simple and get a legit Suzuki Swift or similar.

Dingbatt

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Reply # 2085801 7-Sep-2018 17:12

It would pay to research what sort of hybrid you are getting. The are plenty of YouTube videos explaining the different types.

For instance, i think the Honda you referenced uses an electric 'boost' motor which means the ICE runs all the time and the electric motor just provides more power when required. Therefore allowing a smaller capacity ICE to be fitted. However the Honda Accord recently released in the USA uses electric motors for all its motive power and the ICE is only to charge the battery. A bit like the Chev Volt and BMW i3, but not available here.

The Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system will use the electric motor where it can, which is normally at low speed. At higher speeds or if the battery is depleted the ICE runs to provide motive power and recharge the battery. Because of the eCVT transmission the ICE runs at optimum efficiency. The Synergy drive is patented technology and only available on Toyotas and Lexus'. In all but the plugin Prius all the energy to power the vehicle comes from the petrol tank.
Other brands offering hybrid now I'm less familiar with, but all seem to drive through a 'conventional' gearbox (usually CVT or Dual Clutch).
The big difference in cost is generally the amount of battery onboard. I would be wary of buying something that didn't have plenty of the same model operating here, otherwise if you do have battery problems, you run the risk of the replacement being expensive or even impossible.
I have a Camry Hybrid and won't be buying another pure ICE, it will either be hybrid or electric from here on. At $1.50 a litre the cost difference takes a long time to pay back, but at $5 a litre, not long at all.

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redmouse

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Reply # 2085914 7-Sep-2018 19:46

We recently bought a 2014 Prius C from our local Toyota dealer, about the same price as the Fit you linked to. If you go for a Prius C/Aqua I'd recommend you take it for a long test drive. My wife loves it, but I find it pretty poor to drive and super uncomfortable. I'd much rather do a long trip in our Leaf, even with the hassle of charging.

On the plus side, it's easy to get around 4L per 100k's and the handoff from electric to gas is slick and seamless.

We had the choice of Japanese Signature Class, with associated warrantee or our NZ New model without. Mrs Boss didn't like the Japanese dash.

Scott3

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Reply # 2085978 8-Sep-2018 08:28

When I purchased my hybrid, I had a normal pre-purchase inspection done, I also has a traction battery specific check done by these guys:

http://www.thebatteryclinic.co.nz/hybridandelectric/

Basically they run the pack down (stall test) and then run a scan tool to check for out of balance cells and the likes. (doing an actual capacity test required the traction pack removed from the model of hybrid I purchased.)

One thing they recommended for my model of car was to have the air con refrigerant + oil replaced as the electric motor that runs this system is immersed in the refrigerant, and they had seen examples where it had turned conductive when 10+ years old in the past which destroys the AC motor.

Will this be the second car in the household? and do you have off street parking near your house?

If so, might be worth taking a look at a Nissan leaf, that car is dominating the smaller efficient car space at the moment. $15k, and 2013 model year will get you a post mid cycle refresh one. (no plastic lump in the boot as charger is moved under the bonnet.)

KillerHulk

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Reply # 2089425 12-Sep-2018 17:01

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Thanks for all the comments

Yes, Getting hybrid may reduce some bills.

Already have a a skyline, thus thought to get a cost saving one. Getting this one for wifey, as she travels the most out of both of us (30kms round trip).

I would love the Electric vehicle (viz leaf) but she does not like the shape of it. wont even test drive it and other electric vehicles are out of budget.

Thus, was coming to the conclusion of getting a hybrid (which looks like a normal car) as per her.

in short she wants a hatchback.

@alasta May consider swift

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LostBoyNZ

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Reply # 2089447 12-Sep-2018 17:59

I suppose one thing is that the standard fuel economy rules about urban / highway driving are reversed. I've had a 2003 and currently have a 2009 Prius, and go about 21.5km per litre (4.65 litres per 100km). I'd get about 4 litres per 100km if I didn't drive about half the time on a motorway. So for me, the main advantage is the fuel economy. But if you drive 99% of the time on 100km/h roads, you won't get the same economy, because you'll never be driving on pure electric mode.

When petrol is it most expensive ever, it's certainly not a bad time to buy.

I find there's also less things to go wrong with Prius, such as not having gears, cambelt, or alternator, and there's less wear on the break pads. However, I'd say if something goes wrong with the inverter, or other hybrid parts, I bet they'll be pricey to have fixed. Apologies though I can't speak specifically about the Honda Fit, but you did mention Prius C as a possibility.

IcI

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Reply # 2089455 12-Sep-2018 18:24

KillerHulk: ... Something like https://www.buyrightcars.co.nz/used-cars-for-sale/2013-honda-fit-45946

Was going to suggest this, at only $20 per week more.

KillerHulk: ... but she does not like the shape of it. wont even test drive it ... (which looks like a normal car) as per her. ...

Same situation here

mdav056

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Reply # 2089525 12-Sep-2018 19:38

Best of all worlds might be a Signature Class Prius PHV -- 3 year warranty, a little more pricey, but probably worth it.

gml

KillerHulk

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Reply # 2089975 13-Sep-2018 12:38

Sideface:

xpd:

One thing I was primarily warned of, back when hybrids starting coming into the country, was to get the battery checked. A lot came in with almost dead batteries, so while you thought you were getting a cheap car, the battery would pack up and you'd pay a small fortune replacing it. ...

eg half the price of the car - buyer beware!

So if the battery is dead, will it just be a Standard ICE car ?

Or will it not even work ?

But yes, if i am buying a used hybrid, then i will get it checked. these itechautomotive guys are close to my office, here in Auckland.

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RUKI

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Reply # 2089979 13-Sep-2018 12:43

LostBoyNZ:

..... But if you drive 99% of the time on 100km/h roads, you won't get the same economy, because you'll never be driving on pure electric mode.

....

on highway it goes into EV if you go downhill, or take your foot from the gas pedal

Toyota / Lexus Hybrid and EV Battery Expert Battery Test & Repair

RUKI

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Reply # 2089980 13-Sep-2018 12:45

mdav056:

Best of all worlds might be a Signature Class Prius PHV -- 3 year warranty, a little more pricey, but probably worth it.

PHV uses Li batteries - if battery fails - currently no option but official dealership

Toyota / Lexus Hybrid and EV Battery Expert Battery Test & Repair

RUKI

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Reply # 2089992 13-Sep-2018 13:16

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@KillerHulk:

Using Techstream as a diagnostic scanner or any other aftermarket scan tool will tell you only absence of error codes, not the remaining battery capacity.

Hybrid batteries must be tested off the car, under load on individual module level. I am doing that in Auckland, the battery has to be taken off the car and brought to my LAB.

On the car you can only run so called "stall test" to very approximately get an idea if battery is almost dead or still have some life in it.

There are a lot of non-professional hybrid battery rebuild happening nowadays. In every 9 out of 10 failed packs I have tested - modules have been swapped in attempt to fix the pack.

I am observing mixes of all sorts, e.g. 2004-2005 modules were put together with 2011-2013 modules, but those "fresher" modules are hugely degraded (from taxi).

Recent example - a person bought very cheaply their ZVW30 Prius with known weak battery and another battery as a replacement from trademe. I have tested both in the LAB. Both were hugely degraded. About 18 ranked as "dead". There still was a chance to compile one working pack out of those 38 remaining "non-dead" modules but with limited life span.

As for the Aqua - it has 20 modules vs 28 in Prius/Corolla. Even faster to run the test off the car with my 20-channel Hybrid Battery Analyzer. And cheaper to replace/rebuild. Dealer would probably not give you the chance to open the pack and see serial numbers - to check manufacture date and if they were a non-genuine mix (watch my video):

Hybrid Battery - genuine or not?

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