"The Hybrid Motor Centre" - anyone got experience with them?

munkee

Hi all,

Looking at picking up a Prius, and found this site:
http://www.hybridmotorcentre.ie/

They only sell Japanese imports.

My questions:
Anyone had dealings with them?
How can you verify mileage of an import?
Any issues with batteries on imports?

Thanks!

grogi

munkee wrote: »

How can you verify mileage of an import?

Ask for an auction sheet.

Any issues with batteries on imports?

Nothing that would stand out. You'd be very unlucky to get into issues with the battery.

ELM327

Be wary when importing used Hybrid/Phev/Bev from Japan.
A lot of systems will be very different and cross compatibility and insurance can prove problematic

zilog_jones

It seems nearly every other taxi in Cork now is a Japanese import 3rd gen (2009-2015) Prius, so they must be fairly reliable. 12V batteries are the biggest cause of problems really (they're AGM batteries so cost a bit more than normal).

The instrument cluster will be in Japanese, and you can't normally change this. I've seen Jap imports in the UK which somehow have them running in English but I don't know how they do this (re-flashing firmware, or pulling units from crashed cars?). Indicator stalks are on the wrong side

mgbgt1978

AFAIK some of the UK Importers have managed to get software to change the MFD to English. Although there are reports that this can cause issues down the line....Big Red Triangle, etc. Not sure if this also moves the Radio Frequencies though.
As for the 12v Battery, I have had a sealed Lead-Acid in mine (vented through the existing Rubber Hose) for the past 12 months (25k miles) or so and it's working fine. A lot cheaper than the AGM one, just had to ensure I got one with the smaller terminals.

edit; I have also noticed that some of the Jap imports look the same as the Gen 2, even though they are often 2011/2012 Cars.

munkee

I rang the dealership- they said insurance companies here have no issue with the cars. Mechanically identical apparently. FM radios can differ, but the dealership said they can replace the screen with one in English for 500 euro.

The auction sheet tip is helpful- I guess that's as close to a guarantee as you can get- the folks putting the car into auction could still clock it though before selling.

Anyone familiar with this dealership mentioned in the OP?

grogi

munkee wrote: »

The auction sheet tip is helpful- I guess that's as close to a guarantee as you can get- the folks putting the car into auction could still clock it though before selling.

Very unlikely in Japan.

mgbgt1978

There was a Thread here a few weeks ago about a Jap import Prius.
Guy had bought it as a UK Import (knew nothing about the Jap angle).
Anyway he got the "Red Triangle of Death" permanently on. Toyota Dealers couldn't help, claimed that their Diag machines couldn't read the ECU as it was a Jap.
Personally, if I could pick up a well minded Irish/UK Prius for much the same money I would be happier. Just my opinion on the Jap Prius's, not a reflection on all Jap Imports.

mgbgt1978

munkee wrote: »

I rang the dealership- they said insurance companies here have no issue with the cars.

I'd be ringing my Insurer, rather than asking the Guy selling the Car. Just find one on Donedeal and give them that Reg. Here's one;
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/toyota-prius-2013-132/16099430?campaign=3

(132-D-14687 is the Reg in case it sells over the weekend).:)

sgalvin

Depending on the value of the car you have in mind, a Toyota service on a Prius is €160 which includes a hybrid health check and quote for repairs.

https://www.toyota.ie/current-offers/toyota-value-service.json?_ga=2.227884958.2072866251.1502384678-852827406.1502384678

Just the hybrid check is also available.
https://www.toyota.ie/current-offers/toyota-hybrid-service-promotion.json


These basic services are also a means to find other things that can increase the service work, so they will be very keen to find problems.

They'll be familiar with driving them and pick up anything weird and quote you anything worn/wearing out, which will give you negotiating powers. Will also resolve any computer incompatibility issues. If you buy it, the service has already been done!

Confirm insurance with an insurance company not a salesman.

colm_mcm

munkee wrote: »

I rang the dealership- they said insurance companies here have no issue with the cars

That's not entirely true.

oppenheimer1

zilog_jones wrote: »

It seems nearly every other taxi in Cork now is a Japanese import 3rd gen (2009-2015) Prius, so they must be fairly reliable. 12V batteries are the biggest cause of problems really (they're AGM batteries so cost a bit more than normal).

The instrument cluster will be in Japanese, and you can't normally change this. I've seen Jap imports in the UK which somehow have them running in English but I don't know how they do this (re-flashing firmware, or pulling units from crashed cars?). Indicator stalks are on the wrong side

I've noticed a lot of them driving around Dublin as well. Considering that VAT, VRT and shipping has to be paid, they must be going for peanuts over in Japan in order for them to be competitive here.

Or is there another reason?

mgbgt1978

It's down to two things.
No. 1 is usually the value of the Yen vs Euro.
No. 2 is the Shaken. This is the Jap version of the NCT, MOT,etc. It is fairly strict, relatively expensive and kicks in on Private Cars on their 3rd Birthday.

Most people will say that it is really designed to encourage Joe Japan to buy a new Car every 3 years.....most people are possibly correct. This means that 2nd hand Japanese Cars are usually sold at Auction for Export.

Shefwedfan

I know when I rang about my car, I was questions if it was import. I said yes and suddenly was asking if import from Japan. Said no and then no issue. I confirmed it was UK import and they didn't seem to care

Found it strange they wanted 100% clarification it was Japanese import so I would check with your insurance.

sgalvin

I was asked the same on my 2003 Mazda 6 and I said it was a Japanese import. All Mazda 6 were made in Japan.

When I asked, the concern is non European specification Japan imports as parts can be more expensive difficult/time consuming/impossible to get.
This results in higher repair costs and longer car hire bills and more likely write offs.

Shefwedfan wrote: »

I know when I rang about my car, I was questions if it was import. I said yes and suddenly was asking if import from Japan. Said no and then no issue. I confirmed it was UK import and they didn't seem to care

Found it strange they wanted 100% clarification it was Japanese import so I would check with your insurance.

grogi

sgalvin wrote: »

I was asked the same on my 2003 Mazda 6 and I said it was a Japanese import. All Mazda 6 were made in Japan.

When I asked, the concern is non European specification Japan imports as parts can be more expensive difficult/time consuming/impossible to get.
This results in higher repair costs and longer car hire bills and more likely write offs.

None of which should matter for TPL insurance though... Fair enough if insurance don't want to insure it comprehensively, but for TPL/Theft/Fire it should not matter.

corks finest

zilog_jones wrote: »

It seems nearly every other taxi in Cork now is a Japanese import 3rd gen (2009-2015) Prius, so they must be fairly reliable. 12V batteries are the biggest cause of problems really (they're AGM batteries so cost a bit more than normal).

The instrument cluster will be in Japanese, and you can't normally change this. I've seen Jap imports in the UK which somehow have them running in English but I don't know how they do this (re-flashing firmware, or pulling units from crashed cars?). Indicator stalks are on the wrong side

Battery 12 v can be up to e80 ,drive a hybrid, original battery,10 c car,so they lady a bit, other than that rotate tyres,no other obvious problem,(Honda insight hybrid)

corks finest

zilog_jones wrote: »

It seems nearly every other taxi in Cork now is a Japanese import 3rd gen (2009-2015) Prius, so they must be fairly reliable. 12V batteries are the biggest cause of problems really (they're AGM batteries so cost a bit more than normal).

The instrument cluster will be in Japanese, and you can't normally change this. I've seen Jap imports in the UK which somehow have them running in English but I don't know how they do this (re-flashing firmware, or pulling units from crashed cars?). Indicator stalks are on the wrong side

Battery 12 v can be up to e80 ,drive a hybrid, original battery,10 c car,so they lady a bit, other than that rotate tyres,no other obvious problem,(Honda insight hybrid)ref cluster no way I found round this

mgbgt1978

grogi wrote: »

None of which should matter for TPL insurance though... Fair enough if insurance don't want to insure it comprehensively, but for TPL/Theft/Fire it should not matter.

I'd say it's more to do with Insurers sticking together. If another Car crashes into a Jap Import (which will usually have slightly different Body Panels, etc.) then the 1st Driver's Insurer is going to have to cover the more expensive (relative to an Irish Car) repair.
So, if they all charge more to insure Jap imports then they are all basically spreading their costs among themselves.

grogi

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

I'd say it's more to do with Insurers sticking together. If another Car crashes into a Jap Import (which will usually have slightly different Body Panels, etc.) then the 1st Driver's Insurer is going to have to cover the more expensive (relative to an Irish Car) repair.
So, if they all charge more to insure Jap imports then they are all basically spreading their costs among themselves.

Is Cartel the word you're looking for?

mgbgt1978

You know which two Boardsies you will be attracting to this Thread now, don't you ?

munkee

Anyone else here got experience of buying/insuring a Japanese import?

Or of the dealership in question?

Seems now like every 2nd Dublin taxi I see is a Prius import.

Shefwedfan

munkee wrote: »

Anyone else here got experience of buying/insuring a Japanese import?

Or of the dealership in question?

Seems now like every 2nd Dublin taxi I see is a Prius import.

For years you would have seen a lot of jap import taxi's.

Might be worth checking to see if you could talk to someone in taxi business.....they probably have best experience

grogi

Shefwedfan wrote: »

For years you would have seen a lot of jap import taxi's.

Might be worth checking to see if you could talk to someone in taxi business.....they probably have best experience

Taxi needs a different insurance. Maybe when offering a people carrying insurance, the industry is not so concerned with imported vehicles?

corks finest

munkee wrote: »

I rang the dealership- they said insurance companies here have no issue with the cars. Mechanically identical apparently. FM radios can differ, but the dealership said they can replace the screen with one in English for 500 euro.

The auction sheet tip is helpful- I guess that's as close to a guarantee as you can get- the folks putting the car into auction could still clock it though before selling.

Anyone familiar with this dealership mentioned in the OP?

Insurance companies have issues,luck I'm with liberty AFAIK the only one to insure my Honda insight import

zilog_jones

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

As for the 12v Battery, I have had a sealed Lead-Acid in mine (vented through the existing Rubber Hose) for the past 12 months (25k miles) or so and it's working fine. A lot cheaper than the AGM one, just had to ensure I got one with the smaller terminals.

AGM is recommended for safety more than anything else, as the battery is stored in the cabin and AGM will not spill acid if damaged in a collision.

mgbgt1978

Citroen Picasso and all BMW E60's (including the Estate) have their Lead Acid Batteries within the Cabin (among others).
The Picasso has it under the Passenger seat.
I would guess it's more to do with the way this Battery is used rather than a Safety issue. The AGM is probably better suited to the Prius as there is no sudden demand on it, but there is a constant slow discharge/charge cycle