Thousands of cars in the U.S. are submerged every year in floods. During post-flood cleanup, auto insurance claims adjusters are often forced to “total” many of these vehicles due to the severity of the damage. Unfortunately, that doesn’t stop unscrupulous sellers from putting these cars back up for sale. In many instances, these mechanically unsound and frame-damaged vehicles undergo minor repairs and are resold with no notice to the buyer. To help consumers avoid these waterlogged wrecks, the following tips have been compiled by CARFAX, the nation’s leading provider of vehicle history information.

Check it out

Examine the trunk and glove compartment and beneath the seats and dash for signs of mud, rust or water damage. Look for discolored, faded or stained upholstery and carpeting. Carpeting that has been replaced may fit too loosely or may not match the interior color. Also, flex some wires under the dash to see if they bend or crack, since wet wires become brittle upon drying and can crack or fail at any time.

Take a seat

Check all gauges on the dashboard to make sure they are accurate and look for signs of water damage. Turn the ignition key to make sure all warning lights and gauges work.

Turn it on

Test the lights, windshield wipers, turn signals, cigarette lighter, radio, heater and air conditioner several times to make sure they work.

Take a whiff

Sniff for musty odors resulting from mildew and look for a well-defined line or watermark.

Talk to an expert

Visit a trusted mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection.

Ask for a detailed vehicle history report

A vehicle history report can reveal many hidden problems including flood titles and whether a vehicle has been titled or registered in at-risk areas during flood or hurricane seasons. Also, thousands of car dealers offer free vehicle history reports and list their cars for sale on the database at CARFAX.com. If the seller does not have a report, consumers can run a report themselves using the 17-digit VIN. CARFAX uses its computerized database to provide a detailed history report on virtually every registered used car and light truck since 1981 and can alert consumers to problems that can severely affect the safety, performance and value of a used vehicle.