How To Avoid Buying A Flood Damaged Vehicle

With hurricanes and big rainstorms causing serious flooding on the Gulf coast and the Eastern seaboard, used car buyers may soon be affected even if they live nowhere near the floods.

Flood-damaged vehicles can appear on lots all over the country, often priced very low but with no disclosure from sellers about storm damage. You might think you’ve found a great deal but, without a critical eye, you could drive off the lot with vehicle problems waiting to happen.

Flooding can harm a car’s electronic, mechanical, or other systems with potentially dire consequences, like disabling air bags. It may affect the interior lights, the audio system, or the climate control.

Once the car has been cleaned up, it may be difficult to spot the damage. To make sure you don’t fall victim to such a scam, follow these tips:

Check vehicle history resources —Carfax and AutoCheck dig through data provided by insurers, police departments and other source to provide detailed vehicle histories. You’ll know whether the car was involved in accidents, thefts, and disasters, like flooding.

Check the vehicle —Look for soot, grime, and other signs of water damage. On the flip side, if a vehicle looks unusually clean–particularly under the hood–it should be another red flag.

Trust your nose — Damage from water and sewage can create a musty odor. Sellers may try to mask it, so if you smell strong deodorizer or air freshener, it could be the scent of trouble.

Drive it — Pay attention to the way the car handles and sounds during a test drive. Squeaking or grinding is a bad sign.

Consult a mechanic — A professional can detect problems you wouldn’t necessarily notice.

Once you find a car that checks out, head to Dort Financial for your financing. Speak to one of our loan specialists to learn more about our affordable rates.