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 better financial choices by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators as well as publishing unique and impartial content. We also allow users to conduct research and compare information for free and help you make sound financial decisions. Bankrate has agreements with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Earn Money The offers that appear on this website are provided by companies who pay us. This compensation can affect the way and when products are featured on this website, for example for instance, the sequence in which they be listed within the categories of listing, except where prohibited by law for our loan products, such as mortgages and home equity and other home loan products. This compensation, however, does affect the information we publish, or the reviews that you read on this site. We do not include the entire universe of businesses or financial deals that might 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 end of 2021. They are committed to helping readers gain the confidence to manage their finances with clear, well-researched information that break down complex topics into manageable bites. The Bankrate promises
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We are compensated in exchange for the placement of sponsored products andservices or when you click on specific links that are posted on our website. This compensation could influence the manner, place and in what order products appear within listing categories, with the exception of those prohibited by law regarding our mortgages, home equity and other products for home loans. Other elements, like our own rules for our website and whether or not a product is offered in the area you reside in or is within your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. We strive to provide the most diverse selection of products, Bankrate does not include information about each financial or credit item or service. Auto buyers across the country can experience the aftereffects of destructive floods by unknowingly purchasing water-damaged cars. New and used vehicles that have been damaged by floods of significant magnitude, like the Hurricane Ida in 2021, could be brought to market after a storm. Carfax data shows that up to 212,000 vehicles could have been damaged by the hurricane Ida. When flood-impacted cars are resold, unsuspecting buyers often face expensive mechanical and electrical problems that are discovered several months later. Even if you’re not in a region that is prone to flooding, you can still inadvertently buy a car with water damage. Carfax research shows that damaged vehicles with water damage are found in every state, meaning that buyers from coast to coastline are in danger of buying a flood-damaged car. What can you tell when the car is damaged by water? Damaged cars from water can be difficult to recognize. They are usually clean and could even run for a while. Eventually, however you will be faced with problems because flooded cars decay from the inside out. Here are some of the signs that a car may be damaged by water A musty smell: The interior of water-damaged cars will often smell musty. Some sellers will try to hide the scent with strong air fresheners but it’s very difficult to truly get rid of a car’s musty smell. One way to check the smell of a car is to be inside and close the windows. Carpets that are damp or wet: Water damage can collect in areas you cannot immediately notice, such as under carpeting. Take a look at the carpets in the car and then pat them to try and locate any potential moisture buildup. Examine the trunk too, even removing the spare tire to look for any water underneath it. Carpeting that is stained or unmatched carpeting: Yet another sign that water has damaged your vehicle is to see a vehicle that has stained or loose carpeting and upholstery. Look for blotchy, brown stains, which are signs for water-related damage. When you conduct inspections, check the flooring carpeting with the carpeting on the doors and the roof. The carpets should all appear like they are of the same quality and age. Rust: A vehicle with water damage might be rusty around the doors, inside the hood, or even beneath the dashboard. Screws, hinges for doors, trunk latches and even handles for doors could also be showing signs of rust. Brittle wires: Check under the dashboard if you suspect the car might have water damage. Brittle wires can suggest that the car has been impacted by a water event of some type. Fog or moisture beads: If a car’s interior lighting and instrument panel, as well as exterior lights look foggy or have moisture beads inside them, think of it as a warning sign that the vehicle could be suffering from water damage. Silt or mud buildup In floods, specifically water can transport mud and dirt into the vehicle. Once the flood is gone and the dirt is gone, it will be left behind. Some places to look for mud and silt include the glove compartment, trunk and under the dashboard and below seats. 4 ways to avoid buying an automobile that is flooded If you are concerned that a vehicle may have water or flood damage it is important to do research and determine whether your intuition is right. There are many tools to aid you in getting to the bottom of this crucial question, as well as indicators to watch out for. 1. Check the history of your vehicle The process of running a car history report can reveal issues with a car before you purchase. A clear indication of a damaged car is one that is branded as such. Departments of motor vehicle require permanent title marks on vehicles that were badly damaged by floods. If the vehicle was declared to be totaled, it’s supposed to be given the new title completely that is labeled “salvage” or “flood.” Depending on the stateof the vehicle this information could be indicated by a numeric code. Carfax and Experian offer flood check tools which allow users to run a free check on the history of a car. These platforms simply require entering your VIN of the vehicle that is being investigated. When looking through a car’s history take a look for vehicles originating from areas damaged by floods. The National Insurance Crime Bureau also offers free VIN checks online that permit customers to determine if the car is salvaged. It is important to check a car’s historical report to determine if the car has changed hands numerous times in a short period of time. Be cautious of a history that involves buyers from several states. This could be a sign of what’s referred to as car “title washing,”” where unscrupulous sellers retitle cars repeatedly in order to hide its past. 2. Check for signs of water damage. Cars that are submerged in water will often show telltale signs, but they could be less obvious particularly if the car is being cleaned for sale. Be aware of the smell of mold or musty such as those emanating out of the control panel for the temperature. Note any stains that appear on the interior of the vehicle, engine compartment and trunk. Sand, dirt or mud in odd places , and seat belts that sound gritty when extended or pulled back are all indicators of damage from water. It is also essential to test drive a vehicle in particular, particularly one that may have water or flood damage. Some things to be aware of while you’re driving include compromised electrical systems and infotainment systems that could be triggered if they’ve been affected by water. It is also important to observe for smoke during your test drive. 3. Be cautious of vehicles which are priced at a lower value. There’s a reason behind the adage about things being too great to be true. It’s the case with cars that are priced at a premium over their actual value. This can be an indication that something is wrong. Check the typical selling price of the vehicle you are considering buying at independent sites for pricing of vehicles like Edmunds and Autotrader. A new or used car priced below market value is an indication that the seller is eager to get rid of the vehicle. Buyers need to be careful when a vehicle is advertised at a substantial discount. As well as asking questions about why the vehicle is listed for much less than what it is and why it is a good idea to have the car examined by a professional who can detect any issues. 4. Have a professional inspect the vehicle It’s best hire a certified mechanic or automotive technician to thoroughly examine a vehicle prior to you purchase it. However, it’s more important to take this step to safeguard yourself from damage caused by water on your car. A professional can help calm your mind, especially in the event that the vehicle you’re looking at has any of the signs that are listed in this article. Make sure the inspection doesn’t only include obvious signs of water damage but as well a thorough examination of the electronic equipment, as issues in these systems could take months to surface. Although a pre-purchase inspection generally be paid by the buyer, it will be money well spent to prevent you from getting the car that’s an absolute lemon. Expect to pay anywhere from $100-$200 for an inspection. What to do if you bought a vehicle that is damaged by water you’ve purchased a car that has water damage all might not be lost. Repairs can be made to the car with a skilled mechanic. However, remember that these aren’t DIY repairs. They will require an expert with a vast experience with cars. It’s also worth bearing in mind that fixing damaged vehicles after flooding will not be inexpensive, and you’ll need to decide if the vehicle is worth the cost. In particular, since flood-damaged vehicles generally don’t have a potential for resales. The bottom line is that flood-damaged vehicles are in use in every state across this country. If you are concerned that your car could have been affected by flooding or some other sort of water related event, there are several steps to take including running a vehicle history report, examining for obvious evidence of water damage, and having the vehicle inspected by a qualified professional. Be aware that even if you do not reside in an area affected through flooding you may unknowingly end up with a damaged or damaged vehicle. 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. The article was edited by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate since the end of 2021. They are passionate about helping readers feel confident to control their finances by providing precise, well-studied information that break down complex topics into digestible chunks.
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