If you are interested in buying a used hybrid car you may wonder what criteria you should use to evaluate the car. How different are they from a regular used car? Are some parts more subject to wear than those found on a normal vehicle? Are they as safe as a regular automobile? What type of used car warranties are available for the hybrids?

“One of the biggest concerns relating to buying a used hybrid car is the hybrid battery. I am often asked Each hybrid car manufacturer has different warranties for their hybrid components, varying from 8 year/ 80,000 miles for Honda products, to 8 year/100,000 miles for Toyota products. (This is a generalization. Check the with the manufacturer’s customer service for specifics.)

Currently replacing a hybrid battery after the warranty has expired could cost in the $2,000 – $3,000 range, although I have yet to hear of someone actually paying for one in full on their own. The only hybrid batteries that I have heard needing replacement out of warranty relate to certain 5-speed Honda hybrids and even then, hybrid owners have reported that Honda stepped forward and paid for some or all of the bill.

Prices for hybrid batteries will come down as more hybrid cars are on the road, and as battery technology improves.”
from About.com

Other factors to take into consideration are insurance costs, depreciation and the ease with which one can obtain replacement parts.