Will Carvana buy my car with a dead battery?

Can you drive a Prius with a dead 12V battery?

Carvana typically purchases vehicles with dead batteries but reduces offers by $300–$800 based on repair estimates. Their algorithm factors in battery replacement costs (≈$150–$400 for labor/parts) and towing fees if the car isn’t drivable. Pro Tip: Jump-start the battery before appraisal—some models like Honda Accords can pass remote inspections if systems briefly power on.

How does Carvana evaluate cars with non-functional batteries?

Carvana’s AI-driven appraisal system assigns penalties for undriveable status and required repairs. Dead batteries trigger a “mechanical issue” deduction, though less severe than engine/transmission faults. Inspectors verify if doors, trunk, and infotainment systems respond to jump-starts.

Deep Dive: During virtual appraisals, you’ll input whether the car starts. Selecting “No” automatically applies a $450 base deduction (national average for battery replacement). If verified later, adjustments occur. For example, a 2018 Nissan Leaf with a dead 40 kWh battery might lose $3,200 off its $16k valuation—20% for battery labor. Pro Tip: Use OBD-II scanners to check for codes masking deeper issues; Carvana’s post-purchase inspections void sales if discrepancies exceed $1,500.

Does Carvana require repairs before purchase?

No—they buy cars as-is but price in repairs. Exceptions apply if safety systems (airbags, brakes) fail. Battery issues rarely disqualify unless the vehicle can’t be safely transported.

Deep Dive: Carvana uses third-party haulers for undriveable cars, charging $150–$300 for towing. For context, a 2016 Tesla Model S with a depleted HV battery incurred a $1,100 deduction ($600 battery + $500 transport). Technically, their purchase agreement (Section 4b) allows renegotiation if repair costs exceed initial estimates by 15%. Warning: Don’t conceal multiple electrical faults—their 150-point inspection detects parasitic drains exceeding 50mA.

Can I sell a car that won’t start at all?

Yes, but you must disclose non-operational status during appraisal. Offers drop 8–12% for tow-only purchases versus driveable ones. Hybrids/EVs face steeper cuts due to complex diagnostics.

Deep Dive: Combustion engines with dead batteries often get $500–$900 deductions. EVs like Chevy Bolts lose $4k+ if the pack fails load testing. Curiously, some buyers report higher offers after replacing 12V batteries—why? Because functional infotainment systems increase “cosmetic grade” scores by 1–2 points. Pro Tip: Reset error codes with tools like Autel MaxiCOM to avoid “unknown condition” penalties.

Battery Expert Insight

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