If y'all're in the midst of buying a used auto, you've more likely considered buying a used hybrid instead. And with plenty of models to choose from, that'southward not really surprising. But is choosing a used hybrid over a used car a skilful idea? It all depends.

Toyota Prius driving
Toyota Prius | YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP via Getty Images

But how used is it?

Similar any used car, you're going to want to question just how used the auto is that you're looking at. How many miles does it have on information technology? Has it always been involved in an accident? Has the electric current possessor been taking good care of it? These are all questions that you lot should inquire.

Besides be sure to ask for the machine's vehicle history report. This will give you the inside scoop on the car's history and whether or not it'due south been in an accident. It will also tell you if there are whatsoever open recalls or any lingering bug that you should be enlightened of.

A used hybrid battery vs. a regular used battery

Information technology'due south important to understand why buying a used hybrid is unlike than purchasing your typical used car. Unlike your typical car, a used hybrid will come equipped with a hybrid bombardment. While a hybrid battery is similar to a car battery, y'all can expect it to exist much larger and more powerful than a typical car battery.

Because of how large and how powerful a hybrid bombardment is, replacing i can be pretty costly. Autotrader reports that in some cases, replacing one can cost more than than $two,000. These types of batteries don't concluding forever either, so if you lot buy a used hybrid, yous're probably going to have to replace its bombardment at some indicate.

RELATED: Can You lot Replace a Hybrid Car Battery in Less Than 15 Minutes?

How long do you plan on owning it?

If you lot're because a used hybrid, information technology's important to ask yourself how long yous really plan on owning it. If you lot only plan on spending a couple of years behind the wheel of information technology and its battery is in proficient shape, then buying i might not be and so bad. But if you don't want to deal with battery woes, the machine is inbound its senior years, and has plenty of miles on information technology… and then you should probably just steer clear.

On the other hand, if it's a fairly new used hybrid, buying it might not be such a bad idea. New models typically come with an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty on the battery. Some warranties fifty-fifty cover up to ten years or 150,000 miles. Because of this, some used models will still be under warranty.

Choosing a reliable used hybrid

If your eye is assault a used hybrid, information technology'southward best to choose one that's been lauded for its overall quality and reliability. Fortunately, at that place are several out there that fit the bill. If you're hoping to spend between $15,000 and $20,000, U.South. News & World Study'southward data shows that the Toyota Camry Hybrid, Toyota Prius, Toyota Avalon Hybrid, and the Chevy Malibu Hybrid brand for cracking picks.

And if you're not looking to spend quite that much? Don't worry, you've still got options. Consider an older Toyota Camry Hybrid, or a used Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, or fifty-fifty the Chevy Volt.

RELATED: The 2020 Toyota Camry Hybrid Is the Best Toyota, According to U.S. News

Should you or shouldn't you lot?

It depends. If it's a newer used hybrid that won't need a battery replacement anytime soon, then you lot don't really take annihilation to worry about. Merely if information technology'due south an older vehicle with a battery that'south on its last legs? And so it might be better to keep looking.