How to avoid buying a water-damaged car Advertiser Disclosure Advertiser Disclosure We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our mission is to help you make better financial choices by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct your own research and compare information at no cost – so that you can make sound financial decisions. Bankrate has agreements with issuers such as, but not limited to American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Make money The products that are advertised on this site come from companies that pay us. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this website, for example for instance, the sequence in which they be listed within the categories of listing in the event that they are not permitted by law. Our loans, mortgages, and other home lending products. But this compensation does have no impact on the information we publish, or the reviews you read on this site. We do not include the entire universe of businesses or financial offerings that could be available to you. Luis Diaz Devesa/Getty Images
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. 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 readers gain confidence to take control of their finances with precise, well-researched, and well-researched data that breaks down complicated issues into digestible chunks. The Bankrate promise
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We are compensated for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on specific links that are posted on our site. This compensation could influence the manner, place and when products appear within listing categories, except where the law prohibits it for our mortgage, home equity and other home lending products. Other elements, like our own rules for our website and whether the product is available within your region or within your self-selected credit score range may also influence the manner in which products are featured on this site. While we strive to provide the most diverse selection of products, Bankrate does not include specific information on every credit or financial product or service. Auto buyers across the country may be impacted by devastating floods by knowingly buying damaged cars. Used and new cars that have been damaged by floods of significant magnitude, like Ida in 2021. Ida from 2021 could be brought to market in the aftermath of a storm. Carfax data shows that as many as 212,000 vehicles could have been damaged by the hurricane Ida. If flood-damaged cars are sold in the market, buyers are often faced with expensive mechanical and electrical problems which surface after a few months. Even if you’re not in a region that is prone to flooding, you could still buy a car with water damage. Carfax research also shows that water-damaged vehicles appear across all states, which means that buyers from coast to coastline are at risk of purchasing damaged by flooding. What can you tell when an automobile is damaged by water? Cars with water damage can be difficult to spot. They usually look good and could even run for a short time. However, eventually you will face problems as flooded cars decay from the inside out. Here are some indicators that your car could have water damage: Musty odor: The interior of water-damaged vehicles will usually smell musty. Unscrupulous sellers may try to mask the smell with strong air fresheners but it isn’t easy to get rid of a car’s moldy aroma. One way to test the smell of a car is to sit inside and close the windows. Moist or damp carpeting Damage from water can accumulate in areas you cannot immediately see such as underneath carpeting. Check the carpets all over the car and pat them to try and locate any possible moisture buildup. Also, check the trunk, even removing the spare tire in order to check for any water underneath it. Carpeting that is stained or unmatched carpeting: Yet another sign for water-related damage could be a vehicle with stained or loose upholstery and carpeting. Check for brown, blotchy streaks, which are indicators of water damage. In the course of inspections, compare flooring carpeting with the upholstery on the doors as well as the roof. All of them should appear like they’re of the same in age and color. Rust: A car with water damage may have rust around the doors, in the hood, and even under the dashboard. Screws, door hinges, trunk latches and even handles for doors could also be showing signs of rust. Brittle wires: Examine under the dashboard in case you think the car might have water damage. The presence of brittle wires may suggest that the car is a victim of any water-related event of some type. Fog or water beads: If a car’s interior lighting instruments, exterior lights, or lights appear dim or have water beads within them, consider it a warning sign that the vehicle might have water damage. Mud or silt buildup: During flood events specifically, water may carry mud and dirt into vehicles. Once the flood is gone and the dirt is gone, it will be left behind. Some places to look for mud and silt include the trunk, glove compartment, under the dashboard, and beneath the seats. Four tips to avoid purchasing a flooded car If you think that a vehicle may have flood or water damage, it’s important to do the research to determine whether your intuition is right. There are a variety of tools that can help you get to the bottom of this important problem, along with warning signs to look out for. 1. Conduct a car history check Running a vehicle history report can reveal issues with a car before you make a purchase. A sure sign of a water-damaged car is one that is identified as such. Departments of motor vehicles need permanent title marks on vehicles that have been badly affected by flooding. If the car was declared totaled, it is expected to receive an entirely new title which is labelled “salvage” or “flood.” Based on the stateof the vehicle the fact that this happened could be made clear by a numerical code. Carfax and Experian have flood check tools that allow users to conduct an independent check on the background of a vehicle. They require your VIN of the car in question. If you are looking over a car’s past be sure to look for vehicles that are from areas hit by the floods. It is also important to check the National Insurance Crime Bureau also provides online VIN checks that allow consumers to find out whether the car is salvaged. You should check a car’s historical report for any sign that the vehicle has been sold several times over an extremely short time. Be cautious of any history that includes buyers from multiple states. This could be an indication of what’s known as “title washing,” when unscrupulous sellers alter the title of a car repeatedly to hide its past. 2. Check for signs of water damage. Cars which have been even partially submerged in water will often show telltale signs, but they can be subtle particularly if the car was cleaned prior to sale. Be aware of stinky or sour smells, including those coming out of the control panel for the temperature. Note any stains that appear on the car’s interior, engine compartment and trunk. Dirt, sand or mud in odd places and seat belts that sound gritty when removed or pulled are indications of damage from water. It’s also crucial to drive the vehicle you are considering, especially one you think might be prone to flooding or water damage. Tips to look out for during a test drive include damaged electrical systems and infotainment systems that could be triggered if they’ve been impacted by water. Also, be on the lookout for signs of smoke in your test drive. 3. Be wary of cars that are priced lower than market value. There’s a reason behind the old saying that things are too good to be true. It’s the case with cars that are priced way below worth, and this is often an indicator that something is wrong. Look up the median selling price for the vehicle you are considering buying at independent sites for pricing of vehicles like Edmunds as well as Autotrader. A new or used car sold at a price that is lower than the market value is a clear indication that the seller is eager to get rid of it. Buyers need to be careful when a car is being listed for a significant discount. In addition to asking questions about the reason the vehicle is being sold for a lesser price than it ought to be, it may be an excellent idea to have the vehicle looked at by a professional who can find any issues. 4. Take a professional inspection best engage a certified mechanic automotive technician to examine a vehicle prior to you purchase it. However, it’s more important to take this step in order to protect yourself from a possibly water-damaged vehicle. An expert can to ease your mind, particularly in the event that the vehicle you’re considering has one or more of the warning signs listed in this article. Make sure the inspection does not just include obvious indications of water damage but also a thorough test of all the electronics equipment, as problems in these systems could take months to surface. Although a pre-purchase inspection typically have to be paid for by you, the prospective buyer, it’s worth it if it prevents you from ending up with a car that is unsatisfactory. You can expect to spend anywhere from $100-$200 to have an inspection. What do you do if bought a water-damaged car If you’ve purchased a car with water damage, all could never be destroyed. It is possible to repair the vehicle with an experienced mechanic. However, remember that these are not do-it-yourself fixes. They will require professionals with extensive experience with cars. Also, keep in mind that repairing damaged vehicles after flooding will not be cheap, so you’ll want to determine whether the vehicle is worth the expense. Particularly since damaged cars from floods typically have no potential for resales. The bottom line Flood-damaged vehicles are utilized throughout the country. If you suspect a car may have been impacted through flooding or any other type of water event there are several steps to consider, including completing a car history report, looking for telltale indications of water damage, and having the vehicle inspected by a qualified professional. Keep in mind that even if don’t live in an area affected by flooding, you may accidentally end up with a water 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. The article was edited by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate from late 2021. They are passionate about helping readers to manage their finances with precise, well-studied information that breaks down otherwise complex subjects into bite-sized pieces.
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