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Used Prius Shopper Warning by Toyota Mechanic

See how a used Prius shopper got scammed by the original owner of a Prius that has hidden problems.

When a Used Prius Not So Good of a Deal

One of the problems of buying any used vehicle is that of honesty on the part of the seller. While the seller may think he is not scamming a buyer because has admitted to a little "Fender Bender His-story” history, it’s still a lie when full disclosure is not offered.

It’s even worse when hidden attempts are utilized cosmetically to lure the shopper into believing what they are seeing is what they are really getting.

That was the case with one recent used Prius shopper who was led to believe that the Prius sold had only a minor fender bender and that any issues resulting from it had been taken care of, as told by the host of the Toyota Maintenance YouTube channel this week. However, upon closer inspection of the vehicle it turned out that it had actually been in a major accident---hidden by some cosmetic work---when it should have been totaled. Hence, the importance of a prepurchase inspection by an experienced mechanic even when the story sounds like a light bumper impact.

Related article: Common Hidden Problems When Your Car Hits a Curb

The Value of This Video

The value of this video is that not only does it reinforce the wisdom of having a used car inspected before buying but also shows to what lengths the seller went to, to hide the extent of this Priuses’ fender bender history. By watching the video, you will discover some of the signs of a previous accident to look for and how to not be taken in by appearances and a less-than-truthful story.

Related article: Signs of Hidden Damage That a Used Car Was in a Collision

Should You Buy a Car That Has Been in An Accident?

And finally…

For additional articles related to used car shopping, here are a few for your consideration:

Consumer Reports Reveals How to Find Hidden Problems in a Used Car Before Buying It

An Important Used Car Hidden Damage Warning for Used Car Shoppers

Learn to Inspect That Used Car Like a Car Care Nut

Timothy Boyer is Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily new and used vehicle news.

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