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5 min read Published June 22, 2022

Written by Mia Taylor Written by Contributing Writer Mia Taylor is a contributor to Bankrate and an award-winning journalist who has two decades of experience and worked as a staff reporter or contributor for some of the nation’s leading newspapers and websites including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the San Diego Union-Tribune, TheStreet, MSN and Credit.com. The article was edited by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been writing and editing for Bankrate since the end of 2021. They are committed to helping readers gain the confidence to take control of their finances with clear, well-researched information that breaks down complicated subjects into bite-sized pieces. The Bankrate promises

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So, this compensation can impact how, where and in what order the products are listed within categories, unless it is prohibited by law regarding our mortgages, home equity and other products for home loans. Other factors, like our own website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your own personal credit score can also impact the manner in which products are featured on this site. Although we try to offer a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include specific information on each financial or credit item or service. Car buyers throughout the nation are susceptible to the effects of devastating floods by knowingly buying damaged cars. Used and new vehicles that have been damaged by significant flood events like Ida in 2021. Ida in 2021, can be brought to market following an event. Carfax information suggests that up to 212,000 vehicles might have been damaged by Hurricane Ida. When flood-impacted cars are resold to buyers who are not aware of the damage, they often have costly electrical and mechanical issues that are discovered months later. Even if you don’t live in a place that is prone to flooding, you can still inadvertently purchase a car that has water damage. Carfax research has also revealed that vehicles that have been damaged by water are present across all states, which means people from coast to coast are at risk of purchasing a flood-damaged car. How do you tell if an automobile is damaged by water? Damaged cars from water can be difficult to recognize. They usually look good and can even run smoothly for a little while. However, eventually, you are likely to be faced with problems because flooded cars rot from the inside out. Here are some signs that a car may have water damage: Musty odor the interior of water damaged automobiles will typically smell musty. Some sellers will try to hide the scent with strong air fresheners, however it isn’t easy to completely get rid of a car’s musty smell. One method to determine the smell of a car is to lie inside the vehicle and close the windows. Carpets that are damp or moist water damage may accumulate in places you don’t immediately notice, such as under carpeting. Take a look at the carpets in the car and pat them in order to find any potential moisture buildup. Also, check the trunk, even removing the spare tire to look for any evidence of water under it. Stained or mismatched upholstery and carpeting: Yet another sign that water has damaged your vehicle is to see a vehicle with loose or stained upholstery and carpeting. Check for brown, blotchy stains, which are signs for water-related damage. In the course of inspections, compare carpeting on the floor with upholstery on the doors and the roof. The carpets should all appear like they are of the same age and color. Rust: A vehicle with water damage might be rusty around the doors, under the hood, and even under the dashboard. Screws, hinges for doors as well as trunk latches, and handles for doors could also show signs of rusting. Brittle wires: Examine under the dashboard in case you think the car might have water damage. Brittle wires could suggest that the car has been impacted by an event that caused water of some type. Fog or water beads: If a car’s interior lighting instruments, exterior lights, or lights look foggy or have water beads in them, consider it a warning sign that the vehicle could be suffering from water damage. Silt or mud buildup: When there is a flood, water can transport dirt and mud inside the vehicle. Once the flood is gone and the dirt is gone, it will be left behind. The most common places to look for mud and silt include the trunk, glove compartment underneath the dashboard and under the seats. 4 ways to avoid buying an automobile that is flooded If you are concerned that a vehicle may have flood or water damage It is essential to conduct your homework and find out whether your instincts are correct. There are numerous tools available to assist you in getting to the bottom of this crucial issue, and also warning signs to look out for. 1. Conduct a car history check The process of running a car history report can reveal problems with a vehicle before you buy. The most obvious indicator of a car that has been damaged by water can be seen in the way it is marked as an example. Departments of motor vehicles require permanent title marks for cars that were badly destroyed by floods. If the vehicle was declared totaled, it is supposed to be given the new title completely which is labelled “salvage” or “flood.” Based on the state, however the fact that this happened could be made clear by a numerical code. Carfax and Experian provide tools for flood checks which allow users to run an uncostly check of the history of a car. They require your VIN of the vehicle to be checked. When looking through a car’s history be sure to look for cars that come from areas affected by flooding. There is a National Insurance Crime Bureau also provides online VIN checks that allow customers to determine if the car is salvaged. It is important to check a car’s historical report to determine if the car has changed hands numerous times in the course of a brief period. Be wary of a past history that has buyers in multiple states. This could be a sign of what’s known as car “title washing,”” where unscrupulous sellers retitle cars repeatedly in order to hide its history. 2. Examine for signs of water damage. Cars that have been even partially submerged by water usually have obvious signs, however they can be subtle particularly if the car is being cleaned for sale. Take note of musty or moldy smells such as those emanating out of the control panel for the temperature. Be aware of any stains that show up on the car’s interior as well as the engine compartment and trunk. Sand, dirt or mud in odd spots and seat belts that sound sluggish when they are extended or pulled back are all indications of water damage. It is also essential to test drive a vehicle that you suspect might be prone to flooding or water damage. Hints to watch out for when you test drive are compromised electrical systems and infotainment systems that could act up if they have been affected by water. Also, observe for smoke while you test drive. 3. Be cautious of vehicles which are priced at a lower value. There’s a reason behind the old saying that things are too excellent to be real. It’s the case with cars that are priced at a premium over their worth, and this can be an indicator that something isn’t right. Find the average selling price for the vehicle you are considering buying on independent vehicle pricing sites like Edmunds or Autotrader. A used or new car priced below market value is an sign that the seller is looking to sell the vehicle. Buyers need to be careful when a vehicle is advertised at a substantial discount. As well as asking questions regarding the reason why the vehicle is being sold at a lower price than it ought to be, it may be recommended to get the car evaluated by an expert who can find any issues. 4. Take a professional inspection always a good idea to hire a certified mechanic or automotive technician to go through and thoroughly look over a car before you buy it, but it’s more important to perform this procedure in order to protect yourself from water damage to your car. A professional will ease your mind, especially when the vehicle you’re looking at has any of the signs that are listed in this article. Make sure the inspection not only includes obvious indications of water damage, but also a thorough inspection of all the electronics equipment, as problems with these systems can take months to surface. A pre-purchase inspection typically have to be paid for by you, the prospective buyer, it will be worth it if it prevents you from ending up with the car that’s an absolute lemon. Expect to pay anywhere from $100-$200 for an inspection. What should you do if you bought a water-damaged car If you’ve bought a car with water damage, all may not be lost. Repairs can be made to the car with a skilled mechanic. However, remember that these aren’t DIY repairs. You’ll need professionals with extensive experience with cars. It’s also worth bearing in mind that fixing a flood-damaged vehicle will not cost a lot, so you’ll want to determine whether the car is worth the investment. Especially since flood-damaged cars typically have no resale value. The bottom line is that flood-damaged vehicles are utilized in every state across this nation. If you think that a vehicle may have been impacted by flooding or some other type of water event there are several steps to take including running a vehicle history report, looking for telltale signs of water damage and having the vehicle inspected by a qualified professional. Be aware that even if you don’t live in an area that has been affected by flooding, you could not be aware of a damaged or damaged vehicle. Find out more

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Written by Contributing Writer Mia Taylor is a contributor to Bankrate and an award-winning journalist who has two decades of experience and worked as a staff reporter or contributor for some of the nation’s leading newspapers and websites including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the San Diego Union-Tribune, TheStreet, MSN and Credit.com. Written by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been writing and editing for Bankrate since late 2021. They are dedicated to helping their readers feel confident to control their finances through providing clear, well-researched information that break down complex topics into digestible chunks.

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