Used Hybrid Cars

Used hybrid cars have a good reputation in the pre-owned market, even though the first hybrids were only introduced as recently as 5 years ago in the U.S.

When buying a used, pre-owned hybrid car, you should be researching the similar things as when you're purchasing a conventional car.

This is because the electric motor has a very long usability without replacement and only contains one moving part.

Also, the Nickel Metal Hydride battery packs, as long as they're protected from damage, and when all the systems work as planned, are usually good for at least 200,000 miles, possibly much more.

According to the car companies, the hybrid system itself needs little to no maintainance to work properly on regular use.

Therefore, your main focus should be doing similar background research (at least vehicle history with CARFAX or similar service) and check-up of the current condition (including condition check by an independent mechanic and a test drive) as you would do for any used car.

You should also consider a Certified Pre-Owned hybrid car. All the major manufacturers have a Factory Certified Pre-Owned Program nowadays, including Toyota, Honda, and Ford.

The details of Ford's Pre-Owned Program:

The car has to pass 115-point checklist before getting the certification
6-year/75,000 total mile powertrain warranty
3-month/3,000 mile vehicle warranty

The details of Honda's Pre-Owned Program:

The car has to pass 150-point checklist before getting the certification
7-year/100,000 total mile powertrain warranty
12-month/12,000 mile vehicle warranty

The details of Toyota's Pre-Owned Program:

The car has to pass 160-point checklist (plus 14 more for hybrids, 10 more for four-wheel drive) before getting the certification
6-year/100,000 total mile powertrain warranty
Roadside assist

Where to Buy Used Hybrid Cars

If you're shopping for Certified Pre-Owned hybrid cars online, you can find inventories of these cars directly from the manufacturers.

Here are some of the links to available hybrid car manufacturers' websites with Factory Pre-Owned Program (links open up new windows):

In addition to the manufacturers, it's nice to compare as many available used hybrid cars on one website as possible.

Some of the biggest databases of available pre-owned hybrid cars can be found from, for example, cars.com and autobytel.com.

From Used Hybrid Cars page to Hybrid Cars Guide index