How to avoid buying a water-damaged car Advertiser Disclosure Advertiser Disclosure We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our aim is to assist you make smarter financial decisions by offering interactive tools and financial calculators as well as publishing unique and impartial content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information at no cost and help you make financial decisions with confidence. Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Earn Money The deals that are displayed on this website are provided by companies that pay us. This compensation can affect the way and where products are displayed on the site, such as for instance, the order in which they appear in the listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our loans, mortgages,, and other home loan products. But this compensation does not influence the information we provide, or the reviews that you read on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial offers that may 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. The article was edited by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate since the beginning of 2021. They are committed to helping readers gain confidence to manage their finances through providing clear, well-researched information that breaks down otherwise complex topics into manageable bites. The Bankrate guarantee
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This compensation could influence the manner, place and in what order products appear in listing categories, except where it is prohibited by law in the case of our home equity, mortgage and other products for home loans. Other elements, like our own website rules and whether a product is available in the area you reside in or is within your personal credit score can also impact how and where products appear on this website. We strive to provide the most diverse selection of products, Bankrate does not include information about every credit or financial product or service. Automobile buyers across the United States can experience the aftereffects of catastrophic floods, if they do not know to purchase damaged cars. Used and new vehicles that have been damaged by significant flood events, like Hurricane Ida from 2021 can find their way to the market following the storm. Carfax data shows that as many as 212,000 vehicles might have been damaged by the storm Ida. If flood-damaged cars are sold in the market, buyers are often faced with expensive electrical and mechanical problems which surface after a few months. Even if you don’t live in a region that is prone to flooding, you can still inadvertently buy a vehicle that has water damage. Carfax research has also revealed that damaged vehicles with water damage are found everywhere, which means people from coast to coast are at risk of purchasing a flood-damaged car. How to tell if a car has water damage Water-damaged cars can be hard to spot. They are usually clean and can even run smoothly for a little while. But eventually you will be faced with problems because flooded cars rot from the inside out. Here are a few signs that a car may be damaged by water: Musty odor the interior of water damaged cars will often smell musty. Some sellers will try to mask the smell with powerful air fresheners, but it isn’t easy to remove a car from a smelly moldy smell. One method to determine how a car smells is to sit inside the vehicle and close the windows. Carpets that are damp or moist water damage may accumulate in areas you cannot immediately be able to see, like under carpeting. Check the carpets all over the car and pat them to try and locate any possible moisture buildup. Check the trunk as well, even removing the spare tire to look for any water underneath it. Stained or mismatched upholstery and carpeting: Another sign for water-related damage could be a car with stained or loose carpeting or upholstery. Be on the lookout for blotchy brown stains, which are signs for water-related damage. When you conduct inspections, check the carpeting on the floor with upholstery on the doors as well as the roof. The carpets should all appear like they’re of the same quality and age. Rust: A vehicle with water damage may be covered in rust on the doors, under the hood, and even under the dashboard. Screws, door hinges, trunk latches and even door handles may also exhibit signs of rust. Brittle wires: Look under the dashboard if you believe the car might have water damage. Brittle wires can be a sign that your vehicle is a victim of a water event or other type. Fog or moisture beads: If your vehicle’s interior light instruments, exterior lights, or lights look foggy or have moisture beads inside them, consider it a warning sign that the vehicle may have water damage. Mud or silt buildup: In floods, specifically water can carry dirt and mud into a vehicle. Once the flood is gone and the dirt is gone, it will be left behind. Some areas to look for silt and mud are the glove compartment, trunk, under the dashboard, and beneath the seats. Four tips to avoid purchasing the car that has been flooded. If you suspect that a vehicle may have water or flood damage, it’s important to do research and determine whether your suspicions are right. There are numerous tools available to assist you in getting to the bottom of this crucial issue, and also indicators to watch out for. 1. Run a vehicle history report The process of running a car history report can help uncover issues with your car prior to you make a purchase. A clear indication of a damaged car is one that is identified as an example. Departments of motor vehicle require permanent title marks on vehicles that have been badly damaged by floods. If the vehicle was declared totaled, it is supposed to be given a new title entirely that’s branded “salvage” as well as “flood.” The title will be determined by the stateof the vehicle the fact that this happened could be indicated with a numeric code. Carfax and Experian have flood check tools which allow users to run an independent check on the past of a car. They require details about the VIN of the car in question. When looking through a car’s history, keep your eye out for vehicles that are from areas affected by flooding. There is a National Insurance Crime Bureau also provides online VIN checks that allow consumers to find out whether a car has been declared salvaged. It is important to examine a car’s history report for any sign that the car was sold numerous times in an extremely short time. Be cautious of a history that involves buyers from multiple states. This could be a sign of what’s known as car “title washing,” when unscrupulous sellers alter the title of a car repeatedly to hide the car’s history. 2. Check for signs of water damage. Cars which are submerged by water usually have obvious signs, however they may be subtle particularly if the car is being cleaned for resale. Be aware of musty or moldy smells, including those coming out of the control panel for the temperature. Be aware of any stains that show up on the car’s interior, engine compartment and trunk. Dirt, sand or mud in odd places and seat belts that sound sluggish when they are extended or pulled back are all signs of water damage. It is also essential to try driving a car in particular, particularly one that could be affected by flooding or water damage. Tips to look out for while you’re driving include malfunctioning electrical systems as well as infotainment systems, which will be triggered if they’ve been impacted by water. It is also important to look for signs of smoke during your test drive. 3. Be wary of cars that are priced lower than market value. There’s a reason behind the saying that something is too good to be true. For instance, cars are priced way below worth, and this is often an indicator that something is not right. Look up the median 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 a clear indication that the seller is eager to dispose of it. Buyers should tread cautiously when a vehicle is advertised at a substantial discount. As well as asking questions about why the vehicle is being sold at a lower price than it should be and why it is a good idea to have the vehicle looked at by an expert who can identify any problems. 4. Have a professional inspect the vehicle It’s always a good idea employ a certified mechanic or automotive technician to thoroughly look over a car before you buy it, but it’s more important to perform this procedure to safeguard yourself from a possibly water-damaged car. A professional will calm your mind, especially if the car you are looking at has any of the signs that are listed here. Make sure the inspection does not just include obvious indications of water damage, but also a thorough test of the electronic equipment, as problems that are related to these systems may take months to surface. While a pre-purchase inspection will generally be paid for by the buyer, it’s an investment in the event that it stops you from getting the car that’s an absolute lemon. It is possible to pay from $100 to $200 to have an inspection. What do you do if bought a water-damaged car If you’ve purchased a car that has water damage all might remain intact. It is possible to repair the vehicle with an experienced mechanic. But , keep in mind that these are not do-it-yourself fixes. You’ll need a professional who has extensive experience with cars. Also, keep in mind that fixing a flood-damaged vehicle will not be inexpensive, and you’ll have to figure out if the vehicle is worth the investment. Particularly since damaged cars from floods typically have no resale value. The bottom line is that flood-damaged vehicles are utilized in every state of this nation. If you suspect a car could have been affected through flooding or any other kind of water-related event, there are several steps to follow, such as obtaining a vehicle history report, looking for telltale signs of water damage and having the vehicle inspected by a professional. Be aware that even if you aren’t in a region that has been affected with flooding, it is possible that you might unknowingly end up with an automobile that has been damaged by water. Learn 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. Written by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate from late 2021. They are committed to helping readers to manage their finances with concise, well-researched and well-researched content that breaks down complicated topics into manageable bites.
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