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Flooded Vehicles: According to a new report by Carfax, the used car research firm, flooded cars on the
market have already jumped 20 percent since last year, not including the influx of flood-damaged
vehicles expected to be sold from the most recent storms.

Experts at CarTalk.com have determined that any car where floodwater that rose above its floor is
considered totaled.

Floodwater damages the interior mechanical parts such as the engine, transmission and drive train of
vehicles as well as their electric computer systems, making them dangerously unreliable and a safety
hazard on the road.

Flooded cars rot from the inside out as water corrodes the mechanical parts, shorts the electrical
system and compromises safety features like airbags and anti-lock brakes. Carfax noted in a press
release put out on Wednesday. Health concerns are an added problem, as mold and bacteria permeate
the soft parts of the car.

Here are a few ways you can spot a flood-damaged car.

Check the vehicle identification number: Consumers should always check vehicle identification
numbers with CarFax , Experian’s Auto Check or the National Insurance Crime Bureau & Vin Check before
making any used vehicle purchases. This will provide a vehicle history report and possibly note whether
a vehicle has been reported as flood damaged or given a salvage title. Cars deriving from recently flood
ravaged areas should also be deemed dubious. According to the Federal Trade Commission, a salvage
title means the car was declared a total loss by an insurance company because of a serious accident or
some other problems. A flood title means the car has damage from sitting in water deep enough to fill
the engine compartment.

Thoroughly inspect the interior of the car:  A musty, mildew odor is a dead giveaway that a car has been
compromised by floodwater, according to Carfax. Be alert for damp and musty odors, Mariam Ali, a
spokesperson for the American Automobile Association, told weather.com in a phone interview. There
will be dirt build-up in unusual places like underneath the dashboard.

The AAA also suggests pulling back car carpeting for signs of staining.

Potential buyers should also check inside the glove compartment or in-between the seats for the
appearance of residual sludge or debris.

Some used car sellers will try to conceal the appearance of selling a flood-damaged car by making
aesthetic upgrades such as a brand new interior fabric or masking scents with excessive car deodorizer
or shampooed carpeting. This should be suspect especially when the rest of the vehicle appears to be
weathered and raise red flags that sellers are trying to hide damage.

See if moisture is stuck in the lights: Consumer Reports notes that a visible water line may still show on
the lens or reflector. Moisture beads and fog can build up in light fixtures from flooding and is hard to
remove by those attempting to resell.

Investigate wiring: The National Automobile Dealers Association advises consumers to check electrical
wiring for rusted components, water residue or suspicious corrosion.

Look for rust under vehicle: Taking a look underneath the vehicle and spotting any kind of rust is also a
good way to tell if the vehicle has been damaged by floodwater. Corrosion is uncommon in new
vehicles and those that are owned and operated in warmer climate areas, the AAA said in a statement
to the press.

Review if rubber drain plugs were recently removed: Consumer Reports also recommends checking
the rubber drain plugs — located under vehicles and under doors — and if they appear as if they
been recently removed that should raise suspicions that they were fiddled with to drain floodwater.

Have a mechanic you trust examine the vehicle

Beyond inspecting the car yourself, many experts suggest having a trusted car expert or mechanic give a
second opinion about the state of a vehicle for sale. Often times, they identify things that you missed
on first review.