Flooded Vehicles:<\/b>\u00a0According to a new report by Carfax, the used car research firm, flooded cars on the
\nmarket have already jumped 20 percent since last year, not including the influx of flood-damaged
\nvehicles expected to be sold from the most recent storms.<\/p>\n
Experts at CarTalk.com have determined that any car where floodwater that rose above its floor is
\nconsidered totaled.<\/p>\n
Floodwater damages the interior mechanical parts such as the engine, transmission and drive train of
\nvehicles as well as their electric computer systems, making them dangerously unreliable and a safety
\nhazard on the road.<\/p>\n
Flooded cars rot from the inside out as water corrodes the mechanical parts, shorts the electrical
\nsystem and compromises safety features like airbags and anti-lock brakes. Carfax noted in a press
\nrelease put out on Wednesday. Health concerns are an added problem, as mold and bacteria permeate
\nthe soft parts of the car.<\/p>\n
Here are a few ways you can spot a flood-damaged car.
\n<\/b>
\nCheck the vehicle identification number: Consumers should always check vehicle identification
\nnumbers with CarFax , Experian\u2019s Auto Check or the National Insurance Crime Bureau & Vin Check before
\nmaking any used vehicle purchases. This will provide a vehicle history report and possibly note whether
\na vehicle has been reported as flood damaged or given a salvage title. Cars deriving from recently flood
\nravaged areas should also be deemed dubious. According to the Federal Trade Commission, a salvage
\ntitle means the car was declared a total loss by an insurance company because of a serious accident or
\nsome other problems. A flood title means the car has damage from sitting in water deep enough to fill
\nthe engine compartment.<\/p>\n
Thoroughly inspect the interior of the car:<\/b>\u00a0 A musty, mildew odor is a dead giveaway that a car has been
\ncompromised by floodwater, according to Carfax. Be alert for damp and musty odors, Mariam Ali, a
\nspokesperson for the American Automobile Association, told weather.com in a phone interview. There
\nwill be dirt build-up in unusual places like underneath the dashboard.<\/p>\n
The AAA also suggests pulling back car carpeting for signs of staining.<\/b><\/p>\n
Potential buyers should also check inside the glove compartment or in-between the seats for the
\nappearance of residual sludge or debris.<\/p>\n
Some used car sellers will try to conceal the appearance of selling a flood-damaged car by making
\naesthetic upgrades such as a brand new interior fabric or masking scents with excessive car deodorizer
\nor shampooed carpeting. This should be suspect especially when the rest of the vehicle appears to be
\nweathered and raise red flags that sellers are trying to hide damage.<\/p>\n
See if moisture is stuck in the lights: Consumer Reports notes that a visible water line may still show on
\nthe lens or reflector. Moisture beads and fog can build up in light fixtures from flooding and is hard to
\nremove by those attempting to resell.<\/p>\n
Investigate wiring:<\/b>\u00a0The National Automobile Dealers Association advises consumers to check electrical
\nwiring for rusted components, water residue or suspicious corrosion.<\/p>\n
Look for rust under vehicle: Taking a look underneath the vehicle and spotting any kind of rust is also a
\ngood way to tell if the vehicle has been damaged by floodwater. Corrosion is uncommon in new
\nvehicles and those that are owned and operated in warmer climate areas, the AAA said in a statement
\nto the press.<\/p>\n
Review if rubber drain plugs were recently removed: Consumer Reports also recommends checking
\nthe rubber drain plugs \u2014 located under vehicles and under doors \u2014 and if they appear as if they
\nbeen recently removed that should raise suspicions that they were fiddled with to drain floodwater.<\/p>\n
Have a mechanic you trust examine the vehicle
\n<\/b>
\nBeyond inspecting the car yourself, many experts suggest having a trusted car expert or mechanic give a
\nsecond opinion about the state of a vehicle for sale. Often times, they identify things that you missed
\non first review.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Flooded Vehicles:\u00a0According 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":178,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n