Toyota has teamed up with eBay Motors to allow potential car buyers to search through their local Toyota dealership’s certified used vehicle inventory including the popular Toyota Prius model.

“The TCUV program combines the confidence of purchasing a new vehicle with the value of a used vehicle to provide a “like new” ownership experience. Toyota certified used vehicles offer consumers a smart alternative to traditional used car options and give them the peace of mind they seek in a used vehicle. TCUV posted sales of 253,855 vehicles this year through November, an increase of 1.5 percent over the same period last year.” (Source: PR Newswire)

A quick search in my area came up with 10 certified pre-owned Prius out of 110 for sale. The vehicles that are part of the Toyota Certified Used Vehicles (TCUV) program come with a much higher price tag than their non-certified counterparts have. This is to be expected, however, as dealerships have a much higher overhead than private parties.

There are several items listed in the “Toyota Certified Used Vehicles Advantage” document but the biggest seems to be if you plan to finance a used Prius. Customers purchasing a certified used Prius are eligible to receive new car financing rates. Other benefits of a certified used Prius are a 3 month/3,000 mile warranty, a 160-point inspection and a CARFAX vehicle history report (which you can order for yourself separately).

The program is convenient for a customer that requires a certified used vehicle but if you are looking for a Prius at a great rate, you may want to skip over the factory certified vehicles and save yourself a few thousand dollars.

Whether you are looking at a hybrid vehicle because of skyrocketing gas prices or you’d like to lessen your carbon footprint, you may want to consider purchasing a used hybrid.  Buying a used hybrid is a bit different than buying any other used car so you’ll want to carefully weigh the pros and cons.  After reading through the points listed below, you should be better prepared to answer the question – “Is a used hybrid a good choice for me?”

Used Hybrid Pros

The first positive side to buying a used hybrid vehicle is the upfront cost savings.  Without a doubt, used vehicles are less expensive than their new counterparts.  This holds true for hybrids.  Cars are one of the most quickly depreciating large ticket items that consumers purchase.  According to Edmunds.com, new cars can lose up to 20 percent of their value the second they are driven off of the lot.  Letting someone else take the initial depreciation hit will instantly save you thousands of dollars.

Another big upside to purchasing a used hybrid is availability.  Although hybrids aren’t mass produced like their non-hybrid counterparts, in some markets it is relatively easy to find a used hybrid.  Some parts of the United States are currently experiencing a three month plus wait on a new Toyota Prius.  Check out FOS Auto to see if you can cut down this wait time and pick up a Prius, or other hybrid, without the long delay.

Used Hybrid Cons

Believe it or not, the first downside to buying a used hybrid is the price.  This is in direct contradiction to my first pro but it is something that must be looked at.  Due to the extreme demand for fuel efficient cars, hybrids and other cars with excellent gas mileage ratings are in high demand.  As a result, sellers realize that they can fetch a premium price for their car.  It is simple economics – supply and demand.  The supply of hybrids is not equal to the demand so the price goes up.  If you pay too much for a used hybrid and demand goes down, you’ll instantly lose value in your car.  If you’re planning on driving the car into the ground then this is a moot point.

The other downside to purchasing a used hybrid, especially one higher in mileage, is related to service expenses.  Hybrid cars have many parts that are rather unique and your neighborhood mom and pop shop may not be able to service your hybrid.  If you purchase a new hybrid, you have a long warranty life in front of you.  However, the used hybrid may be near or even out of its warranty period.  Carefully research your desired hybrid model’s service history to determine what kind of expenses you may experience in the future.

Buying a used hybrid car is a viable option for most consumers looking to go green with their car and save a few dollars on gas at the same time.  As with any automobile purchase, it is important that you do your research in advance.  If you take the time to not only do upfront research, but also have a mechanic inspect the specific used hybrid you’re looking at, you’re more likely to get a great deal on a great car!