How to avoid buying a water-damaged car Advertiser Disclosure Advertiser Disclosure We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make better financial choices by offering interactive tools and financial calculators as well as publishing unique and impartial content, by enabling users to conduct research and compare information for free to help you make financial decisions with confidence. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers such as, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Make Money The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. This compensation may impact how and where products are displayed on this site, including such things as the order in which they appear within the listing categories and other categories, unless prohibited by law. This applies to our loan products, such as mortgages and home equity, and other home loan products. This compensation, however, does have no impact on the content we publish or the reviews that appear on this website. We do not include the vast array of companies or financial offers that may be open 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. 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 passionate about helping readers gain the confidence to control their finances by providing concise, well-researched and researched information that breaks down complicated issues into digestible chunks. The Bankrate guarantee
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We receive compensation for the placement of sponsored products and, services, or through you clicking certain links posted on our site. This compensation could impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories, with the exception of those it is prohibited by law regarding our mortgages, home equity and other home loan products. Other factors, such as our own rules for our website and whether a product is offered in the area you reside in or is within your self-selected credit score range could also affect the way and place products are listed on this website. Although we try to offer the most diverse selection of products, Bankrate does not include specific information on each financial or credit item or service. Automobile buyers across the United States are susceptible to the effects of catastrophic floods, if they do not know to purchase water-damaged cars. Used and new vehicles that have been damaged by major flood events like the Hurricane Ida from 2021 may be brought to market following an event. Carfax information suggests that up to 212,000 vehicles could have been damaged by the hurricane Ida. If flood-damaged cars are sold to buyers who are not aware of the damage, they often have costly electrical and mechanical issues that surface months later. Even if you don’t live in an area where flooding is common you could still buy a car with water damage. Carfax research shows that damaged vehicles with water damage are found in every state, meaning that buyers from coast to coastline are at risk of purchasing a flood-damaged car. What can you tell when an automobile is damaged by water? Damaged cars from water can be difficult to identify. They often look fine and can even run smoothly for a short time. But eventually, you are likely to encounter issues as cars that have been flooded rot from the inside out. Here are some of the signs that a car may be damaged by water A musty smell the interior of water damaged cars will often smell musty. Some sellers will try to mask the smell with strong air fresheners, however it isn’t easy to completely get rid of a car’s musty smell. One method to determine how a car smells is to lie inside the vehicle and close the windows. Moist or damp carpeting water damage may accumulate in places you don’t immediately see such as underneath carpeting. Feel the carpets throughout the car, and rub them to locate any possible moisture buildup. Also, check the trunk taking off 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 stained or loose carpeting and upholstery. Check for brown, blotchy staining, which is a sign that water has damaged the car. In the course of inspections, compare flooring carpeting with the carpeting on the doors and the roof. They should all look like they’re of the same quality and age. Rust: A vehicle that has water damage could be covered in rust on the doors, inside the hood or even under the dashboard. Screws, door hinges or trunk latches as well as door handles may also be showing signs of rust. Brittle wires: Check under the dashboard in case you think a car may have water damage. The presence of brittle wires may be a sign that your vehicle was impacted by a water event or other type. Fog or moisture beads: If a vehicle’s interior light, instrument panel or exterior lights appear to be hazy or contain water beads in them, consider it an indication that the vehicle might have water damage. Silt or mud buildup: In floods, specifically water can carry dirt and mud into vehicles. After the flood has gone but the dirt remains. Some places to look for silt and mud are the trunk, glove compartment and under the dashboard and below seats. Four tips to avoid purchasing an automobile that is flooded If you are concerned that your car may be flooded or have water or flood damage, it’s important to do research and determine whether your suspicions are right. There are numerous tools available to aid you in getting to the root of this vital issue, and also warning signs to look out for. 1. Run a vehicle history report A vehicle history report can uncover issues with your car prior to you buy. A sure indicator of a car that has been damaged by water can be seen in the way it is marked as such. Departments of motor vehicles need permanent title marks for vehicles that were badly damaged by floods. If the vehicle was declared totaled, it is supposed to be given a new title entirely that is labeled “salvage” or “flood.” Based on the state, however the fact that this happened could be indicated by a numeric code. Carfax and Experian have flood check tools that permit users to conduct an uncostly check of the background of a vehicle. The platforms require only your VIN of the vehicle that is being investigated. If you are looking over a car’s past take a look for vehicles originating from areas that have been affected by flooding. There is a National Insurance Crime Bureau also provides VIN checks online that permit users to discover if the car is salvaged. You will want to look at a vehicle’s history report to determine if the vehicle has been sold multiple times in an extremely short time. Be particularly leery of a past history that has buyers from several states. This could be an indication of what’s known as car “title washing,” when unscrupulous sellers alter the title of the car several times to conceal the car’s history. 2. Check for signs of water damage Cars that were submerged in water often have obvious signs, however they may be subtle particularly if the car is being cleaned for resale. Take note of musty or moldy smells, including those coming from the climate control system. Note any stains that appear on the interior of the vehicle as well as the engine compartment and trunk. Dirt, sand or mud in odd places and seat belts that sound sluggish when they are removed or pulled are signs of water damage. It’s also important to try driving a car that you suspect might be prone to flooding or water damage. Tips to look out for during a test drive include compromised electrical systems and infotainment systems that could be triggered if they’ve been affected by water. Also, be on the lookout for signs of smoke while you test drive. 3. Be wary of cars that are priced lower than market value. There’s a good reason behind the adage about things being too good to be true. It’s the case with cars that are priced at a premium over their worth, and this is usually an indicator that something isn’t right. Check the typical selling price for the vehicle you’re thinking of buying at independent sites for pricing of vehicles like Edmunds as well as Autotrader. A new or used car that is priced lower than market value is an indication that the seller is eager to dispose of the vehicle. Buyers must be cautious when a car is advertised at a substantial discount. In addition to asking questions about the reason the vehicle is listed for a lesser price than it ought to be, it may be a good idea to have the car evaluated by a professional who can detect any issues. 4. Take a professional inspection best to engage a certified mechanic automotive technician to inspect a car prior to you buy it, but it’s more important to take this step in order to protect yourself from damage caused by water on your vehicle. A professional can help to ease your mind, particularly in the event that the vehicle you’re looking at has any of the signs that are listed here. Be sure that the inspection doesn’t only include obvious indications of water damage but also a thorough inspection of all electronic equipment, as problems with these systems can last for months before they become apparent. Although a pre-purchase inspection generally be paid by you, the prospective buyer, it will be worth it in the event that it stops you from ending up with an automobile that’s an absolute lemon. You can expect to spend between $100 and $200 to have an inspection. What should you do if you bought a vehicle that is damaged by water you’ve bought a car with water damage, it might never be destroyed. It is possible to repair the vehicle with an experienced mechanic. But remember, these aren’t DIY repairs. It will require a professional who has extensive knowledge of cars. It is also important to keep in mind that the repair of a flood-damaged vehicle will not cost a lot, so you’ll have to figure out if the vehicle is worth the expense. In particular, since flood-damaged vehicles typically have no selling value. The bottom line Flood-damaged vehicles are in use throughout the country. If you are concerned that your car may have been impacted by flooding or some other type of water event there are several steps to consider, including completing a car history report, examining for telltale signs of water damage and having the vehicle checked by a qualified professional. Be aware that even if you do not reside in an area affected with flooding, it is possible that you could not be aware of 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. Edited by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate from late 2021. They are dedicated to helping their readers feel confident to manage their finances with concise, well-researched and well-researched content that break down complex subjects into bite-sized pieces.
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