Fraud Tip of the Day - June 10
How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Car
After a flood, it's not long before flood-damaged cars appear on the market. These flood car detection tips can help you spot a water-damaged car.
Any time there's a hurricane or storm that results in flooding, cars damaged by water make their way into the auto market. Many private parties, auto auctions and some car dealerships allow the vehicles to dry, clean them up and then try to sell them.
In many states, individuals legally obligated to disclose that the car they're selling has spent some quality time underwater.
Without close examination by an experienced eye, consumers may not notice the telltale signs that a car's been submerged in floodwaters. The car may run great now but exposure to water can wreak havoc on modern vehicles.
The dangers of buying a flooded car include rust and damage to major mechanical parts such as the engine or transmission. The water can also damage sensitive electrical systems including important onboard computers often located on a car's low points, like under the seats or in the trunk. Do I even have to talk about mildew and mold? It's easy to see why people want to unload these cars as fast as they can. Fortunately, there are signs you can look for that indicate a car's been underwater.
When you're shopping for a car, look for rust and sand under trunk mats or in fender wells. Someone selling a flood car is bound to miss something while they prepare it for sale. If you see clear signs of water damage, walk away from the deal. There are plenty of other cars for you to purchase. To help you further, we have compiled several tips to help consumers spot vehicles flood-damaged vehicles.
Flood Car Detection Tips:
- If you're buying a used car, always have it inspected by a trusted mechanic.
- Ask to see the title of any used car you're thinking about buying. Check the date and place of transfer. Did the car come from a state ravaged by floods? Is "salvage" stamped on the title?
- Order a vehicle history report from an online service such as CarFax or Autocheck. These are a great way to find out where a vehicle's been and what's happened, or not happened, to it
- Examine the gauges on the dashboard to see if they're accurate. Check for signs of water, too.
- Test everything related to the car's electrical system. Test the lights, windshield wipers, turn signals, heater, air conditioner, and cigarette lighter several times to make sure they all work.
- Examine the wiring under the dash to see if they bend or crack. Once they've been wet, wires become brittle and can crack or fail.
- Look in the trunk, glove compartment, under the seats, and dash for signs of m&d, rust or water damage
AVOID BUYING A FLOODED CAR.
If you are looking to purchase a vehicle, odds are fair that you cannot afford to purchase a brand new one right off the lot. Buying a new vehicle is often not necessary and you can get some pretty good deals, since most vehicles depreciate in value by thousands of dollars right after you drive them off the lot that you bought it from.
While there are many factors to consider when you purchase a used vehicle, one important thing to avoid when you do go looking is a vehicle that shows signs of water damage. The car could have been driven into a river or any other body of water and you simply not realize it, because the signs are often difficult to spot.
You can purchase a vehicle history report from sites like Carfax.com, but you should be aware that these reports are not always entirely accurate. If damage was done to a vehicle and a claim not filed on it with the owner's insurance company, then the damage will not show up on the history report. Unless the owner tells you the car was flooded, you will often not realize it until it is too late.
Look at the nooks and crannies of the vehicle for signs of silt or rust, especially in the trunk and the glove box. The area around the tail lights in the trunk is one of the first areas on a vehicle that will rust.
The upholstery in the vehicle also needs to be looked at. Smell the inside of the car and note if it is musty at all. This can be a sign that mold has started to grow inside either in the upholstery or the carpet itself. Be wary if the vehicle has been treated with air fresheners, since this may be being used to cover up an odor.
Flex the wires located under the dashboard. If they are brittle and crack at all, then they have probably been exposed to water.
Another thing to take into consideration if you can stand the condition of the interior of the car is the engine. Sand, dirt, and silt getting inside an engine like this can potentially ruin it and the last thing you want to do with a car you just purchased is replace the engine.
Always get a vehicle history report when you purchase a vehicle, but be sure to do your own inspection before buying anything. Hire a trusted mechanic to inspect the technical parts of the car if you have no experience in them, as well.
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