A lot of new technology is being developed to clean up the pollutants that cars spew out. However, problems arise as this new technology ages, who's going to fix it? Here we have a case where a reader is contemplating purchasing a used hybrid. Our shop has had zero experience with servicing used hybrids. These cars are usually under some kind of warranty and aren't in the mainstream of public use yet. To service these cars you are tied to the dealer network. Personally I wouldn't invest my money in any new technology until it's been fully proven. Bear this in mind as the next step of electric car evolution hits our shores, the plug-in hybrid.

Q. I am thinking of buying a 2004 Honda Civic Hybrid. It has 160,000 kms, mostly highway driving. When and how much would it cost to replace the batteries? What are some of the other major repairs for a vehicle with this mileage? Should I be concerned that the mileage is so high?

A. Sorry, I have had little experience with hybrids. I found this on the web.

How often do hybrid batteries need replacing? The hybrid battery packs are designed to last for the lifetime of the vehicle. The design life of today's cars is 200,000 to 300,000 kilometres. The warranty covers the batteries for between eight and 10 years, depending on the carmaker. Battery toxicity is a concern. Toyota puts a phone number on each battery, and they pay a $200 bounty for each battery to help ensure that it will be properly recycled. Replacement costs? According to the site I visited “Toyota has never replaced a single battery” since the introduction of the Prius in 2000 for wear and tear.

Tune in to Dave's two new shows “Dave's Corner Garage” on Sun TV and “In the Shop” on Men's TV. See your local listing for times.