Protect Yourself from Flood-Damaged Cars

Thinking about purchasing of a used car? Protect yourself from buying a flood-damaged vehicle by doing a little research and having the vehicle thoroughly checked by a trusted repair technician.

Hurricanes and tropical storms in coastal areas, however, are only part of the problem. Rain, thunderstorms, and swelling rivers all contribute to flooding disasters that seriously damage vehicles.

Auto-industry analysts caution consumers that the risk of buying a water damaged car is not limited to flood prone areas of the country. These cars often are repaired cosmetically and moved as far as Canada where they are sold to unsuspecting customer.

Before handing over any money to the seller, CAA suggests having an inspection done by a CAA Approved Auto Repair facility.

Here are some tips to help you evaluate a vehicle and rule out flood damage:
Check the trunk, glove compartment, dashboard, and flooring 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 mean water damage.
Turn the ignition key and make sure that accessory and warning lights come on and work properly. Make sure the airbag and ABS lights come on.
Test the lights (both 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.
Sniff around to see if you smell musty odors from mildew.

If the seller does not offer a vehicle history report, use the 17-digit vehicle identification number, or VIN, available on the dashboard to check out the car's history yourself. CARFAX vehicle history reports, available to members at through a link in the automotive section at caamanitoba.com, can reveal many hidden problems in a vehicle's past, including flood tiles.