By Shelley Polansky
Recent Hurricane flooding in Texas and Florida has damaged 1000’s of vehicles. If you are in the market for a used car, BBB says to watch for flood-damaged vehicles that could begin to pop up in our area.
After a vehicle has incurred flood damage, the insurance company may declare it a total loss. When a car is declared a total loss, it should be sent to a junkyard. But some of these cars may be sold at auction as ‘salvage’ vehicles. Then, they may end up for sale in classified ads or online on Craigslist.
After a thorough cleaning, these cars may look just as good as any other car. But buying a car that has been exposed to flood waters can have hidden problems. Follow these tips to spot flooded vehicles:
• Ask to see the title. Check the date and place of transfer and if the title is stamped ‘salvage’.
• Check all gauges on the dashboard to make sure they are accurate and look for signs of moisture.
• Test equipment including lights, wipers, turn signals, sound system, heater & air conditioner to make sure they work.
• Flex wires under the dash to see if they bend or crack, since wet wires become brittle upon drying and can fail at any time.
• Check the hard-to-reach interior of the trunk and glove compartment and beneath the seats and dashboard for signs of mud, rust or water damage.
• Look for discolored, faded or stained upholstery and carpeting.
• Check for a well-defined line, or ‘watermark’ and for musty odors resulting from mildew.
• Get a vehicle history report based on its VIN number.
Before you buy any used car, you should always get a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic of “your” choosing. The extra cost now may save you thousands of dollars in the long run if major problems are discovered.
Start with Trust® For more tips and information and to find trustworthy BBB Accredited used and new car dealers, visit bbb.org.
~ Shelley Polansky, VP/Marketing, Communications & Outreach