One of the first giveaways that the vehicle you’re wanting to buy is flood damaged would be a musty smell of mildew. But, this smell can be covered up with no immediate signs of water damage, and I’m here to give you some tips to help you notice if a car has any significant flood damage. When a tropical storm hits an area, it can affect hundreds of thousands of cars, and most of them can be put back on the road all over the U.S. So, just because you don’t live next to a coast doesn’t mean that some of these damaged vehicles won’t pop up in your area.
One of the biggest problems with water damage to a car would be if any moisture found its way into the electrical system. As I’m sure you know, water and electricity don’t go together well at all! I found a great listing of signs on carfax.com to look for when shopping for a new car or truck that you think might be damaged from a flood:
* Check the trunk, glove compartment, the dashboard and below the seats for signs of water damage such as silt, mud or rust.
* Examine upholstery and carpeting closely; if it doesn’t match the interior or fits loosely, it may have been replaced. Discolored, faded or stained materials could indicate water damage.
* Turn the ignition key and make sure that accessory and warning lights and gauges come on and work properly. Make sure the airbag and ABS lights come on.
* Test lights (interior and exterior), windshield wipers, turn signals, cigarette lighter, radio, heater and air conditioner several times to make sure they work.
* Flex some of the wires beneath the dashboard. Wet wires will become brittle upon drying and may crack.
* Take a deep breath and smell for musty odors from mildew.
* Go to a trusted mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection. Always get vehicles checked BEFORE handing over any money.
* Ask to see a vehicle history report. CARFAX Vehicle History Reports can reveal many hidden problems from a vehicle’s past, including flood titles, and will indicate if a vehicle has been titled/registered in at-risk areas during flood and hurricane seasons.
