Spotting and Avoiding Flood Damaged Vehicles

In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, tens of thousands of cars were scrapped and damaged beyond repair due to flood waters, wind damage, or other storm-related accidents. Some report estimate close to 250,000 vehicles were affected by the storms in the hurricane-prone regions of the US (Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas).

Though most of these vehicles were hauled away and their titles changed to reflect that they had been totaled, many cars were bought, fixed, and eventually re-titled in other states by shady sellers who try to conceal the true history of the vehicle. Unsuspecting buyers, thinking that they were getting a quality used car, would eventually learn that they purchased a storm-damaged vehicle thanks to rusting body panels, foul odors, and malfunctioning components.

While most flood damaged vehicles are retired to salvage yards, there are some that are cleaned up and place back on the used car market by unscrupulous sellers. The problem with flood damage is that it’s hard to spot and even harder to prove, meaning you need to be a savvy consumer with a good eye. Dishonest sellers pick up these cars, move them to states with less stringent reporting laws, pump out the water, shampoo the carpets, throw on a new coat of paint and then resell these damaged vehicles at a profit.

According to CARFAX, a service that provides vehicle history reports for consumers, almost half of the vehicles damaged in the Hurricane Floyd floods of 1999 wound up back on the resale market.

To protect yourself against purchasing a car that’s been damaged in a flood and save yourself thousands of wasted dollars, keep reading for 5 hot tips:

1. Look and Smell of Mildew and Stains – Mildew is a hard smell to mask, and if the car was immersed in water for a few days, it becomes even more difficult to hide. Keep your eyes and nose open for mildew or sand and silt under the carpets. Check behind the dashboard, under the trunk lining, below the spare tire, the headliner cloth and watch for any water stains or suspicious marks.

2. Have the Car Inspected by a Mechanic – Unless you’re buying a vehicle that comes with a warranty and certification direct from the manufacturer, you should always have the vehicle inspected by a third-party mechanic. They might be able to spot hidden defects that are not clearly visible to the average car-buyer.

3. Obtain a Vehicle History Report – Many states require cars that were severely damaged in a flood to be reported by insurance and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) recorded. By using a car history report service like CARFAX you can often find this information quickly and easily. Although a good check, the absence of a flood title does not mean the vehicle is not flood damaged – it only means that it may not have been reported. Never rely solely on this report as proof of a clean vehicle – instead, use it as an aid along with checking the other suspicious items listed here to determine whether the vehicle has been through a flood.

4. Do the Accessories Fit the Car? – If the stereo, tires, floor mats and upholstery all seem too new for the car and the seller hasn’t made any comments about replacing those components, you could be dealing with a flood car. Often, these items are replaced in a hurry to clean up the vehicle before the sale. This is because smaller items are cheap to replace and make the vehicle look like its been well kept. It is important to look beyond the accessories and be vigilant of any suspicious or out-of-place items.

5. Look for Rust (Oxidation) – Check under the hood for any signs of rust or oxidation. With the car off, check all the battery and electrical connections. Iron or ferrous metals will show rust, copper will turn green and any aluminum or alloys turn a shade of white and powdery when rusting. Although older cars and cars driven in winter climates are expected to have some rust, the patterns are much different. Rust caused from regular wear and salted roads will be present on the outside of the vehicle – usually in areas where water accumulates in one spot such as the fenders. On the other hand, rust from flood damage will appear in strange areas that should never come in contact with water. Rust from floods might be present on the interior of the car – make sure to check underneath the dashboard and in the trunk for any bare metal that might have been exposed to flood waters.

6. Make Sure All Electronics Work – We all know that modern vehicles come with an abundance of electronics to help us feel safe an comfortable. While flood waters might do little damage to mechanical components of our cars, they are especially harmful to any electronics on the inside of the vehicle that the might come in contact with. When shopping for a car, make sure you test all the electronics to ensure that they’re working as expected (electric seats, climate control, power windows, power locks, etc..). Often times, a car may have different computers responsible for different functions of the car. Just because the car runs and drives fine, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t damaged electrical components lurking behind the scenes. Also, make sure to check for any warning lights that may be present on the dashboard – these are often useful for alerting you of any hidden electrical problems.