Hybrid Pre-Purchase Inspection
Don’t Buy Blind
Before you spend $10,000–$30,000 on a used hybrid, let a specialist tell you exactly what you’re buying. We come to you — battery analysis, full diagnostic, and an honest report — so you know before you commit.
✔ $199 Flat Rate — All-Inclusive
✔ Up to 50 Miles — We Come to You
✔ 90-Minute Inspection
✔ Easy to Book
✔ Dealerships or Private Sellers
Know Before You Buy
Used hybrids look great on a test drive. The battery feels fine, the car runs smooth — and then six months later you’re stranded on the side of the road with a repair bill you never saw coming.
A degraded NiMH hybrid battery doesn’t always throw a warning light. It hides. A proper diagnostic scan by a specialist is the only way to know for sure what you’re buying.
A missed inspection could cost you $3000+ for a new hybrid battery, $800-$1,500+ for ABS Actuator Failure, $500-$2,000+ for EGR System Damage, $300-$800+ for Inverter Coolant Pump. Our service costs $199 flat. Having your hybrid checked before you buy it can save you from all these hidden costs like the Hybrid Battery, which is one of the most common hidden issue in used hybrids. Often undetectable without a specialist diagnostic. Or ABS Failure, which causes spongy brakes and warning lights. Easy to miss on a standard test drive. Or EGR Damage, which is gen 3 Prius specific and is caused by skipped maintenance leading to carbon buildup and head gasket damage. Or your Inverter Coolant Pump going bad which is often overlooked. Failure causes inverter overheating and expensive cascade repairs.
What’s Included in Every Inspection
1. Hybrid Battery Health Analysis
Full cell-by-cell data readout from the battery management system. Remaining capacity, cell balance, degradation rate, and life expectancy. This is data no general mechanic can pull — it requires specialist equipment and expertise.
2. Full OBD-II Diagnostic Scan
Every fault code — current and stored — across all vehicle systems. We don’t just read the check engine light. We read everything the car’s computer is tracking.
3. Mechanical Inspection
Brakes, suspension, steering, and drivetrain. We check what’s worn, what’s failing, and what’s fine so you know exactly what you’re inheriting with this vehicle.
4. Under Hood & Fluids Check
Oil condition, coolant level, inverter coolant reservoir, belts, hoses, and anything that could indicate deferred maintenance or hidden damage.
5. Written Report
A detailed written report delivered after the inspection. Something concrete you can use to negotiate, or share with the seller.
6. Honest Buy / Pass Recommendation
We don’t hand you a list and leave you to figure it out. We tell you straight: buy it, negotiate on it, or walk away. That’s what you’re paying us for.
We See What Other Inspectors Can’t
Any mechanic can check the oil and kick the tires. Almost none of them can tell you if your battery is at 60% health and will need replacement within the next 18 months.
We can — because hybrid batteries are our entire business. DNA Hybrid Solutions specializes in renewing and replacing NiMH hybrid batteries. We do this every day. We know exactly what a healthy pack looks like and exactly what a failing one looks like before it becomes your problem.
That’s not a general inspection. That’s specialist knowledge you can only get from us.
Instant Red Flags
Walk Away If You See Any of These
Red Triangle Warning Light is On
This indicates a serious hybrid system fault — battery, inverter, or worse. Don’t buy it without a full diagnostic first.
The Seller Refuses an Independent Inspection
A legitimate seller will welcome it. Refusal means something is being hidden. Walk away immediately.
Milky or Foamy Oil
Coolant mixing with oil usually means a blown head gasket. Expensive repair — not worth the risk on an uncertain car.
Spongy or Soft Brakes
Could indicate a failing ABS actuator, which is a costly repair. Get it diagnosed before you sign anything.
Fuel Economy Consistently Below 35 MPG
A Prius averaging below 35 MPG points to battery degradation or engine issues. That’s not normal for this car.
No Service Records on a High-Mileage Gen 3
If there’s no proof the EGR system was cleaned by 100,000 miles, assume it wasn’t. Factor in the repair cost or walk away.