Smart Buying Essentials

Protect Yourself From Flood Damaged Cars

Considering purchasing a used car? Protect yourself from buying a flood damaged vehicle by doing a little research and by having the vehicle thoroughly checked by a mechanic. Rain, thunderstorms, swelling rivers and seasonal hurricanes hitting the coastlines all contribute to flooding disasters that can mean serious water damage to vehicles in those areas.

Water damage from 1999's Hurricane Floyd ruined approximately 75,000 vehicles and more than half of those ended up back on the road. Tropical Storm Allison damaged another 95,000 in 2001 and Hurricane Ivan left more than 100,000 vehicles water-logged. The numbers for Hurricane Katrina are expected to skyrocket above half-a-million and safety experts warn that many of these flood damaged vehicles also will be dried out and offered for sale. Hurricanes and tropical storms, however, are only part of the problem.

Flooding can occur throughout the year and in any part of the country; however, auto industry analysts caution consumers that the risk of buying a flood damaged car is not limited to these areas. Flood damaged cars are often repaired cosmetically, and moved to adjacent states or even across the country where they are sold to unsuspecting consumers. These floodwaters can cause damage to vehicle computer and electrical systems, as well as potentially causing anti-lock braking and airbag systems to malfunction.

The right research can drastically reduce the risk of putting you and your family in a potentially dangerous vehicle. Carfax offers the following three "must-do" steps to anyone buying a used car:

• Take it for a spin – On your test drive, be on the look out for a signs of shaking, shimmying or other signs of potential problems. Make sure you and the other drivers in your family all feel comfortable behind the wheel.


• Get a Carfax Vehicle History Report – This report can reveal any title issues or other problems that a seller may try to hide. Carfax has also added an advisory for any vehicle that was last registered in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster area following hurricanes Katrina and Rita.


• Have a mechanic check it out – A certified, trusted mechanic will test the electrical and safety systems, two of the major components that water can affect. They can also look for signs of water damage that may not be visible to the untrained eye.

Facts: Flood Damage from Hurricanes and Tropical Storms

• Hurricane Floyd (1999) - Damaged 75,000 vehicles and more than half were put back out on the road.


• Tropical Storm Allison (2001) – More than 95,000 vehicles flooded by the most extensive tropical storm in U.S. history.


• Hurricane Ivan (2004) – Left more than 100,000 cars submerged in floodwaters throughout the Southeast.

Don't Get Soaked Buying A Used Car

Literally thousands of cars are submerged each fall during floods. During the post-flood cleanup, auto insurance claims adjusters "totaled" thousands of flood-damaged vehicles.

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.

Carfax, the nation's leading provider of vehicle history information, has compiled the following tips to help consumers avoid these waterlogged wrecks:

• Check it out - Examine the trunk, 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.


• Take a seat - Check all gauges on the dashboard to make sure they are accurate and look for signs of water damage. Turn on the ignition key to make sure all the 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. Also, flex some wires under the dash to see if they bend of crack, since wet wires become brittle upon drying and can crack or fail at any time.


• Take a whiff - Smell for musty odors resulting from mildew and look for a well- defined line or watermark.


• Check it out - Always visit a trusted mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection.


• Ask for a detailed vehicle history report - CARFAX Vehicle History Reports can reveal many hidden problems in a vehicle's past, including flood titles and will indicate if a vehicle has been titled/registered in at-risk areas during flood and hurricane seasons. If the seller does not offer a report, use the 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) available on the dashboard to check the car's history at CARFAX. Start with a Free CARFAX Flood Damage Check which will identify any vehicle that was last registered in a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster area following hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Carfax uses its computerized database of 3.5 billion vehicle records 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.