The records show an increasing number of hurricanes causing significant flooding in various regions, leading to a surge in flood-damaged vehicles entering the market. This raises a crucial alert for prospective car buyers to be vigilant.
Reports suggest hundreds of thousands of vehicles have suffered flood damage due to recent severe weather events. Though many of these vehicles are documented correctly to indicate their damage, others slip through without proper registration of the issues, complicating the buying process for unsuspecting shoppers.
Here are essential tips to identify signs of flood damage when inspecting a potential vehicle purchase:
- Odor Check: Trust your senses. A musty or mildew scent in the car's interior can be a strong indicator of water damage.
- Interior Inspection: Search for mud or water residue in hidden areas such as the glove compartment, along the interior trim, under seats, and under the dashboard. Pay attention to signs of rust or mold.
- Carpet Analysis: Go beyond lifting the floor mats. If possible, pull back the carpets and examine the padding for rust, stains, or mold.
- Trunk Check: Inspect under the trunk carpet, especially around the spare tire area, for rust or signs of standing water.
- Back Seat: Look beneath the back seats for any evidence of water damage or mold, as this area often collects water during flooding.
- Interior Parts: Be cautious of newly replaced interior parts that might look unusually new for the vehicle's apparent age.
- Electrical Systems: Test all electrical components, including lights, gauges, and the instrument cluster, to ensure they function properly without faults that could indicate water exposure.
- Engine Start Test: When starting the car, watch for the check engine light. It should illuminate briefly and then turn off. If it doesn’t light up at all, this might indicate tampering to conceal engine issues.
- Engine Oil Check: Examine the engine oil dipstick for any milky or cloudy appearance, which could suggest water intrusion into the engine.
- Vehicle History: Utilize services like CarFax.com, VehicleHistory.gov, or NICB.org to access detailed title history and check for any recorded flood damage or salvage information linked to the vehicle’s VIN.
By following these tips, you can better safeguard yourself against purchasing a flood-damaged car and ensure that your next vehicle is safe and reliable.