Bought a Prius "AS-IS" from a Dealer, Suspect They Cleared Hybrid Battery Codes – What Can I Do? (CA)

Hey everyone,

I bought a used Toyota Prius "AS-IS" from a local used car dealer in California two days ago. Today, my OBD2 scanner threw a code (P0A80) indicating that the entire hybrid battery pack needs to be replaced—which is a huge and expensive fix.

Here’s my concern: My former boss owns a hybrid repair shop and has an advanced OBD scanner that can check a car’s diagnostic history. We were not on best terms when I left which is why I didn't inquire with him about this car before but he's sympathetic enough after I explained this on the phone. I plan to have him scan the car to see if there’s evidence that the dealer previously cleared codes before selling it. If that turns out to be true, it would mean they likely knew the battery was bad but intentionally hid the issue.

I know that "AS-IS" sales usually mean no warranty, but I’ve read that dealers in California can’t misrepresent a vehicle’s condition or conceal known defects. If we find proof that they cleared the codes, could this be considered fraud or deceptive business practices?

I’m considering:

  1. Getting the OBD history scan to check if codes were erased before sale.
  2. Confronting the dealer if there’s evidence they knew about the issue.
  3. Filing complaints with the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) and the DMV if they refuse to help.
  4. Taking legal action if necessary.

Has anyone dealt with a situation like this? If I do find evidence, what’s the best way to approach this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!