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 smarter financial decisions by offering interactive tools and financial calculators that provide original and impartial content. We also allow you to conduct research and compare information at no cost to help you make informed financial decisions. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not restricted to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Make Money The deals that are displayed on this site come from companies that compensate us. This compensation can affect the way and when products are featured on this website, for example for instance, the order in which they be listed within the categories of listing, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity, and other products for home loans. But this compensation does not influence the information we provide, or the reviews you read on this site. We do not include the universe 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. Edited by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate since late 2021. They are dedicated to helping readers gain the confidence to manage their finances with concise, well-researched and researched information that breaks down otherwise complex topics into manageable bites. The Bankrate promises
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So, this compensation can influence the manner, place and in what order products appear in listing categories, except where prohibited by law in the case of our home equity, mortgage, and other home loan products. Other factors, like our own rules for our website and whether a product is available in your region or 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 an array of offers, Bankrate does not include details about every credit or financial product or service. Automobile buyers across the United States are susceptible to the effects of destructive floods by unknowingly purchasing damaged cars. Used and new vehicles that have been that have been damaged by floods of significant magnitude such as Hurricane Ida from 2021 may get their way onto the market after the storm. Carfax data shows that as many as 212,000 vehicles might 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 months later. Even if you're not in an area that is prone to flooding, you could still buy a vehicle that has water damage. Carfax research also shows that vehicles that have been damaged by water are present in every state, meaning buyers from coast to coast are at risk of purchasing a flood-damaged car. What can you tell when the car is damaged by water? Cars with water damage can be difficult to recognize. They are usually clean and could even run for a short time. But eventually you will encounter issues as cars that have been flooded begin to decay from the inside. Here are some of the signs that a car may be damaged by water smell musty: The interior of water-damaged vehicles will usually smell musty. Sellers who are not reputable may attempt to cover up the smell using strong air fresheners, however it can be very difficult to rid a car of a musty smell. One method to determine the car's smell is to sit inside and close the windows. Carpets that are damp or moist water damage may accumulate in areas you cannot immediately notice, such as under carpeting. Feel the carpets throughout the car and pat them to locate any possible moisture buildup. Check the trunk as well and remove the spare tire to check for water beneath it. Upholstery that is stained or not matching and carpeting: Yet another sign of water damage is a vehicle that has stained or loose carpeting or upholstery. Be on the lookout for blotchy brown staining, which is a sign that water has damaged the car. When conducting inspections, compare carpeting on the floor with upholstery on the doors as well as the roof. The carpets should all appear like they are of the same in age and color. Rust: A vehicle that has water damage might have rust around the doors, inside the hood or even under the dashboard. Screws, door hinges as well as trunk latches, and door handles may also show signs of rusting. Brittle wires: Examine under the dashboard if you believe the car might have water damage. Brittle wires could indicate that the vehicle is a victim of an event that caused water or other type. Fog or moisture beads: If your vehicle's interior light and instrument panel, as well as exterior lights appear dim or have water beads in them, consider it an indication that the vehicle might have water damage. Silt or mud buildup: During flood events specifically, water may carry dirt and mud into a vehicle. Once the flood is gone, the dirt will remain. The most common places to check for silt and mud include the glove compartment, trunk underneath the dashboard and under the seats. Four tips to avoid purchasing an automobile that is flooded If you are concerned that your car may be flooded or be damaged by flooding or water, it's important to do research and determine whether your instincts are correct. There are a variety of tools available to help you get to the bottom of this important problem, along with signs to be alert for. 1. Check the history of your vehicle Running a vehicle history report can uncover issues with your car prior to you purchase. A clear sign of a water-damaged car can be seen in the way it is identified as an example. Departments of motor vehicle require permanent title marks for cars that have been badly affected by flooding. If the vehicle is declared to be totaled, it's supposed to be given an entirely new title that is labeled "salvage" as well as "flood." The title will be determined by the condition this information could be indicated with a numeric code. Carfax and Experian offer flood check tools that permit users to conduct an uncostly check of the past of a car. These platforms simply require entering your VIN of the vehicle in question. If you are looking over a car's past take a look for cars that come from areas hit by the floods. There is a National Insurance Crime Bureau also offers free VIN checks online that permit consumers to find out whether the vehicle has been declared salvaged. It is important to examine a car's history report for any sign that the vehicle has been sold multiple times in the course of a brief period. Be wary of any history that includes buyers from several states. It could be a sign of what's known as "title washing,"" where unscrupulous sellers retitle cars repeatedly in order to hide its history. 2. Check for signs of water damage Cars that were submerged in water will often show obvious signs, however they can be subtle particularly if the vehicle is being cleaned for resale. Take note of stinky or sour smells that emanate through the system for controlling temperature. Take note of any stains you see on the car's interior or engine compartment, as well as on the trunk. Dirt, sand or mud in odd spots and seat belts that sound sluggish when they are pulled or retracted are also indicators of water damage. It's also crucial to drive the vehicle you are considering, especially one you think may have water or flood damage. Hints to watch out for during a test drive include damaged electrical systems and infotainment systems, which will act up if they have been affected by water. It is also important to observe for smoke during your test drive. 3. Be cautious of vehicles that are priced below market value. There's a good reason behind the old saying that things are too great to be true. It's the case with cars that are priced way below market value, which can be an indicator that something is not right. Find the average selling price for the car you're considering purchasing at independent sites for pricing of vehicles like Edmunds as well as Autotrader. A car that is new or used that is priced lower than market value is an indicator the seller is anxious to dispose of the vehicle. Buyers should tread cautiously when a car is being listed for a significant discount. Alongside asking questions about why the car is being offered at a lower price than what it is and why it is recommended to get the vehicle looked at by a professional who will detect any issues. 4. Get a professional inspection It's generally a wise idea employ a certified mechanic or automotive technician to go through and thoroughly examine a vehicle prior to you purchase it, but it's even more critical to take this step to protect yourself from damage caused by water on your car. An expert can calm your mind, especially in the event that the vehicle you're contemplating buying has one or more of the warning signs mentioned in this article. Be sure that the inspection doesn't only include obvious indicators of water damage, but also a thorough test of all the electronics equipment, since problems in these systems could last for months before they become apparent. A pre-purchase inspection usually be paid for by you, the prospective buyer, it's an investment if it prevents you from ending up with the car that's an absolute lemon. Expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have an inspection. What should you do if you bought a vehicle that is damaged by water you've purchased a vehicle with water damage, all might never be destroyed. Repairs can be made to the vehicle with an experienced mechanic. However, remember that these are not do-it-yourself fixes. It will require professionals with extensive understanding of automobiles. It's also worth bearing in mind that repairing a flood-damaged vehicle will not be cheap, so you'll want to determine whether the car is worth the cost. Particularly since damaged cars from floods generally don't have a potential for resales. The bottom line is that flood-damaged vehicles are in use in every state of this country. If you suspect a car may have been impacted by flooding or another kind of water-related event, there are several steps to take including running a vehicle history report, examining for signs of water damage and having the vehicle checked by a professional. Be aware that even if you do not reside in an area affected by flooding, you may unknowingly end up with an automobile that has been damaged by water. 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 writing and editing for Bankrate from late 2021. They are dedicated to helping their readers feel confident to control their finances by providing clear, well-researched information that breaks down otherwise complex subjects into bite-sized pieces.
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