Hybrids now make up a big share of the used market, and plenty of them are excellent buys. But a hybrid hides its weak points better than a plain petrol car. Buying a used hybrid car means checking things a standard inspection skips.
Know Which Kind of Hybrid You Are Buying
Self charging hybrids have a small battery charged by the engine and by braking. You cannot plug them in. Most short trips use a mix of electric and petrol power.
Plug in hybrids have a much bigger battery that you charge at home or at a charger. They can usually do a short commute on electric power alone, then run as a normal hybrid.
Mild hybrids use a small electrical system to help the engine. They cannot drive on electricity alone, and they behave much like a normal petrol or diesel car.
Each brings different checks. Plug in hybrids add a charging port, a cable and a much more expensive battery.
Check the Battery Health
The battery is the most expensive part to replace. Plenty of hybrids run past 150,000 miles on their original pack, but you cannot see battery health from the driver's seat.
Ask for a battery health check from a main dealer or hybrid specialist. Some makers offer it as part of an annual hybrid service. A seller confident in the car will usually agree. On a plug in hybrid, also compare the electric range the dash shows on a full charge against the official figure for that model. A large shortfall points to a tired battery.
Our guide to checking used EV battery health goes deeper on testing larger battery packs.
Check the Service History
Hybrid battery warranties are often extended each year the car is serviced at an approved dealer. Miss one service and that extra cover can lapse. Ask for the full history and check the dates, not just the stamps. Our guide to checking a car's service history shows what a complete record looks like.
Check the Catalytic Converter
Hybrids are among the most targeted cars for catalytic converter theft. If a converter was stolen and replaced with a cheap pattern part, the car can fail its emissions test and throw warning lights.
Look at the MOT history for emissions failures or advisories. Start the car cold and listen for a loud, rough exhaust note, which is the classic sign of a missing converter. Our guide to catalytic converter theft covers which models are hit most and what replacement costs.
Check How It Was Driven
Hybrids suit stop start town driving. A hybrid used for thousands of miles of motorway driving has had its petrol engine doing most of the work. That is fine, but you lose much of the fuel saving you are paying for.
The MOT mileage pattern tells you a lot. Steady low annual mileage suggests town use. Very high annual mileage on a hybrid may point to ex-private hire use, which is extremely common. Our guide to telling if a car was an ex-taxi explains the MOT patterns that give it away.
Test Drive Checks
On the test drive:
- start from cold and check the car pulls away on electric power
- listen for the engine starting and stopping smoothly
- watch for warning lights on the dash
- check the regenerative braking feels consistent
- on a plug in hybrid, check the charging cable is present and the port locks
The History Check
A hybrid still needs every check a normal used car needs. The Full Report shows outstanding finance, write-off records, stolen markers and keeper history. Ex-private hire hybrids often come with multiple keepers in a short time, which the keeper history makes obvious.
FAQ
Is it worth buying a used hybrid car?
Often, yes. Well maintained hybrids from established makers have a strong reliability record and use less fuel in town. The risks are an ageing battery, missed servicing and, on some models, catalytic converter theft, so check those before you agree a price.
How long do hybrid batteries last?
Many last the life of the car, and plenty of high mileage hybrids still run on their original pack. Age, heat and how the car was used all affect it. A battery health report from a dealer or hybrid specialist is the only reliable way to know.
What is the difference between a self charging hybrid and a plug in hybrid?
A self charging hybrid recharges its small battery from the engine and braking and cannot be plugged in. A plug in hybrid has a bigger battery that you charge from the mains and can drive a short distance on electric power alone. Plug in models need the charging cable and port checking too.
Does a hybrid battery warranty transfer to a new owner?
Manufacturer warranties usually stay with the car, not the owner. Some makers extend hybrid battery cover each year the car is serviced at an approved dealer, so the service history decides whether that extended cover is still valid.
Why are hybrids targeted by catalytic converter thieves?
Hybrid catalytic converters tend to contain more precious metal and corrode less, because the petrol engine runs less often. That makes them valuable to thieves. Check the converter is present and that the car passed its last emissions test.
Useful Links
- Getting an MOT - GOV.UK - What the annual test checks, including exhaust emissions.
- Vehicle tax rates - GOV.UK - How tax is worked out for hybrid and alternative fuel cars.
- Consumer protection rights - GOV.UK - Your rights if a car turns out not to be as described.
