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Beware of Flood Damaged Cars!
Don't get soaked by buying a salvaged flood car because hidden water damage can leave unseen safety hazards.
 The Better Business Bureau is warning people not to purchase water damaged vehicles or "flood cars" which are sure to hit
the market soon if they haven't already. Have you seen submerged cars on television and wondered what happened to them after
the water receeded? The sad fact is that many of them will end up with For Sale signs on them on street corners and used car
lots. Most, if not all of them, should be considered total losses never to be driven again but some less than honest car
dealers will see an opportunity to turn a quick buck at your expense.
When Hurricane Floyd struck Florida in 1999, an estimated 75,000 vehicles were ruined by floods and declared totaled by
insurance companies, according to CARFAX, a Virginia firm that does background checks on used vehicles. Hurricane Katrina is
said to have flooded up to a half million cars. People in the New Orleans area expect to see these cars for sale so
the cars are shipped to other areas where consumers are less likely to suspect that the car they are buying was submerged in
water.
Knowing that these flood cars are out there is one thing but how can you tell which ones they are after they've been spiffed
up and detailed? Luckily there are some things to look for when buying a used car that can identify which ones were underwater.
Electronics Hate Water
Modern vehicles with all their computer chips and electrical systems provide comfort and efficient operation of the motor but these systems will not do well
when submerged at all let alone a solid week. CD players may dry out but permanent damage may have been done that you won't be able to see right away. There's
a good chance that something electrical is not going to function correctly after being submerged for any length of time so you should test as many electrical
features as possible before making a purchase. This is especially important when it comes to safety features. A newer car relies heavily on electronics and
replacing or fixing any part of the electrical system can be horribly expensive. This is why it's so important that you check the electrical system of a used
vehicle thoroughly before you sign any papers or give anyone money.
Priced Way Below Blue Book
Any time you are out shopping for a vehicle and you find one that looks great but is priced far below the going rate it's time to be cautious. If the car is in
good condition there is no need to sell it for so cheap because they'll eventually find someone willing to pay a fair price for it. There are certainly valid
reasons for a person to sell a car below the going rate but this is something that should raise red flags and lead you to try and find the reason from the person
selling the car. If you are given a particularly weak answer you should start wondering what's wrong with the vehicle.
How to spot a flood car
- Gravel or sand in the interior and especially under the dashboard
- Electrical problems
- Priced lower than fair value
- Vehicle History Reports may indicate if the car suffered previous water damage.
- Musty smell or too much air freshener
- Car is from New Orleans
Anytime you purchase a used car it's a good idea to have a trusted mechanic take a look at it before you buy. These inexpensive
pre-purchase inspections ar inexpensive and can save you a tremendous amount in the long run.
Car history reports fill you in on a vehicle's history before you buy. The data collected about a vehicle can tell you a lot about it's current condition. Make sure you are armed with all the facts before purchasing a used car.
More Flood Car Information
Tip - How to Spot a Flood Car
Lemon Laws - Federal Lemon Law
Geico - Avoid Flood Damaged Cars
CNN - Cars damaged by Gulf Coast storms starting to hit the market
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