Flood Damaged Vehicles

Recent flooding in the Texas and the Florida regions has damaged as many as 500,00 automobiles. If you are in the market for a used car, Better Business Bureau (BBB) cautions you to watch for flood-damaged vehicles that could begin to pop up in our area.

Unsuspecting consumers, particularly those living in regions of the country unaffected by hurricanes or flooding, can be led astray by fresh upholstery, new carpeting and bargain prices.

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 the junk yard. However, some of these cars may be sold at auction as 'salvage' vehicles. Then, they may end up for sale on used car lots, in classified ads or online on Craigslist.

“Consumers generally should use due caution when purchasing used vehicles,” said Michelle Corey, BBB St. Louis President and CEO. “In the wake of disaster caused by Hurricane Harvey and Irma, used car buyers should be extra careful.”

After a thorough cleaning, new carpet and floor mats, these cars may look just as good as any other car on the surface. But buying a car that has been exposed to flood waters can have hidden problems including mold and mildew, rusty wiring, computer malfunctions and airbags that don’t inflate and much more.

BBB has 10 tips to help you spot these former flooded vehicles:

• Ask to see the title of a used car. Check the date and place of transfer to see if the car came from a flood-damaged area 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 the equipment including lights, windshield wipers, turn signals, cigarette lighter, sound system, heater and air conditioner several times to make sure they work.

• Flex some wires under the dash to see if they bend or crack, since wet wires become brittle upon drying and can crack or 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. Carpeting that has been replaced may fit too loosely or may not match the interior color.

• Check for a well-defined line, or ‘watermark’ and for musty odors resulting from mildew.

• Check the car dealer’s BBB Business Profile to see if they have a history of complaints.

• Ask the dealer directly if the car has been damaged by floodwater.

• 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, not a referral from the seller. The extra cost now may save you thousands of dollars in the long run if major problems are discovered.