Will a hybrid car that's been sat around for months have battery issues in the future?

I'm on the lookout for a car and saw a good 2-year old (April 2019) Lexus RX L with 2500 miles on it. Surprisingly, it had done 2300 miles in the first 6 months and almost nothing since then in the last 18 months. I'm wondering whether it could affect the battery - both hybrid and (rather less worryingly) the other battery in the engine compartment. I could buy the car outright, but thinking of taking it out on PCP and keeping it serviced with Toyota to gain the warranty. I usually do around 10,000 miles a year at least. Any advice will be really appreciated as this is a very expensive purchase and I don't want to end up with a huge bill.

Asked on 7 June 2021 by BSA

Answered by Andrew Brady

I wouldn't be too concerned. Lexus is perhaps the most reliable car manufacturer, frequently coming top in the Honest John Satisfaction Index (www.honestjohn.co.uk/honest-john-satisfaction-inde.../). Its new Lexus Relax warranty should provide some extra reassurance, too – provided you have it serviced at a Lexus dealer, you'll be covered for up to 10 years (including the hybrid batteries). My biggest concern would be whether things like the tyres have perished while it's been stood still – but, assuming you're buying from a Lexus dealer, its 150-point quality and safety check should pick up on that.

Tags: buying a used car warranty hybrid batteries hybrids coronavirus lockdown

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