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 providing you with interactive financial calculators and tools, publishing original and objective content, by enabling users to conduct research and compare information at no cost – so that you can make informed financial decisions. 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 site come from companies that compensate us. This compensation could affect how and when products are featured on this site, including, for example, the order in which they appear within the listing categories and other categories, unless prohibited by law for our loans, mortgages, and other home loan products. However, this compensation will affect the content we publish or the reviews you see on this site. We do not cover the vast array 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. Written 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 gain confidence to control their finances by providing precise, well-researched, and well-researched data that break down complex subjects into bite-sized pieces. The Bankrate promises
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This compensation could influence the manner, place and when the products are listed within categories, with the exception of those it is prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity and other home lending products. Other factors, like our own proprietary website rules and whether the product is offered in your region or within your self-selected credit score range could also affect the way and place products are listed on this website. While we strive to provide an array of offers, Bankrate does not include information about each financial or credit item or service. Auto buyers across the country may be impacted by destructive floods by unknowingly purchasing damaged cars. Used and new vehicles that have been damaged by significant flood events, like the Hurricane Ida which hit 2021 in the year 2021 can find their way to the market after a storm. Carfax information suggests that up to 212,000 vehicles may have been damaged by Hurricane Ida. When flood-impacted cars are resold to buyers who are not aware of the damage, they often have expensive electrical and mechanical problems which surface after a few months. Even if you don’t live in a place in which flooding is common, you can still inadvertently buy a car with water damage. Carfax research also shows that vehicles that have been damaged by water are present in every state, meaning people from coast to coast are in danger of buying an affected car due to flooding. How do you tell if a car has water damage Water-damaged cars can be hard to spot. They often look fine and can even run smoothly for a little while. However, eventually you will face problems as flooded cars decay from the inside out. Here are some signs that a car may have water damage A musty smell: The interior of water-damaged automobiles will typically smell musty. Sellers who are not reputable may attempt to cover up the smell using powerful air fresheners, but it can be very difficult to remove a car from a musty smell. One method to determine how a car smells is to sit in the car and shut the windows. Carpets that are damp or moist Damage from water can accumulate in places you don’t immediately be able to see, like under carpeting. Feel the carpets throughout the car and then pat them to try and locate any potential moisture buildup. Check the trunk as well, even removing the spare tire to check for water beneath it. Carpeting that is stained or unmatched carpeting: Yet another sign for water-related damage could be a vehicle that has stained or loose carpeting and upholstery. Check for brown, blotchy streaks, which are indicators of water damage. In the course of inspections, compare floor carpeting to the carpeting on the doors and the roof. They should all look like they are of the same quality and age. Rust: A vehicle that has water damage could be rusty around the doors, inside the hood or even under the dashboard. Door hinges, screws or trunk latches as well as door handles could show signs of rusting. Brittle wires: Examine under the dashboard in case you think that your vehicle may be suffering from water damage. Brittle wires can suggest that the car is a victim of a water event of some type. Fog or moisture beads: If your car’s interior lighting, instrument panel or exterior lights look foggy or have water beads in the lights, it could be an indication that the vehicle might have water damage. Silt or mud buildup: In floods, 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 are the glove compartment, trunk underneath the dashboard and under the seats. 4 ways to avoid buying an automobile that is flooded If you are concerned that your vehicle might have water or flood damage It is essential to conduct research and determine whether your suspicions are right. There are a variety of tools that can aid you in getting to the root of this vital question, as well as signs to be alert for. 1. Run a vehicle history report The process of running a car history report can help uncover problems with a vehicle before you purchase. The most obvious indicator of a car that has been damaged by water is one that is branded as an example. Departments of motor vehicle require permanent title marks for cars which have been severely destroyed by floods. If the vehicle is declared to be totally damaged, it is required to get an entirely new title which is labelled “salvage” as well as “flood.” The title will be determined by the state, however, this fact may be indicated with a numeric code. Carfax and Experian provide tools for flood checks which allow users to run an uncostly check of the background of a vehicle. These platforms simply require entering the VIN of the vehicle that is being investigated. When looking through a car’s history take a look for cars that come from areas that have been affected by flooding. The National Insurance Crime Bureau also offers free VIN checks online that permit users to discover if a car has been declared salvaged. You will want to look at a vehicle’s history report for any sign that the car has changed hands numerous times in the course of a brief period. Be particularly leery of a history that involves buyers from multiple states. This could be a sign of what’s referred to as car “title washing,” when unscrupulous sellers alter the title of the car several times to conceal the car’s history. 2. Check for signs of water damage Cars that were submerged in water will often show telltale signs, but they could be less obvious, especially if the car is being cleaned for selling. Take note of stinky or sour smells that emanate from the climate control system. Be aware of any stains that show up on the interior of the vehicle as well as the engine compartment and trunk. Sand, dirt or mud in odd places , and seat belts that make a loud noise when extended or pulled back are all indicators of damage from water. It is also essential to drive the vehicle you are considering that you suspect could be affected by flooding or water damage. Some things to be aware of when you test drive are compromised electrical systems and infotainment systems, which will be triggered if they’ve been affected by water. It is also important to look for signs of smoke while you test drive. 3. Be wary of cars that are priced lower than market value. There’s a good reason behind the adage about things being too good to be true. This includes cars being priced well below their market value, which is usually a red flag that something is wrong. Find the average selling price for the car you’re considering purchasing at independent sites for pricing of vehicles such as Edmunds and Autotrader. A used or new car priced below market value is a clear sign that the seller is looking to sell the car. Buyers must be cautious when a vehicle is offered at a steep discount. Alongside asking questions regarding the reason why the vehicle is being sold for a lesser price than it ought to be and why it is recommended to get the vehicle looked at by an expert who can find any issues. 4. Get a professional inspection It’s generally a wise idea to employ a certified mechanic or automotive technician to look over a car before you purchase it. However, it’s even more critical to take this step in order to protect yourself from a possibly water-damaged vehicle. An expert can to ease your mind, particularly if the car you are looking at has any of the warning signs mentioned below. Check that the inspection not only includes obvious indications of water damage but as well a thorough examination of all electronic equipment, as issues in these systems could be a long time before they are discovered. While a pre-purchase inspection will usually be paid by you, the prospective buyer, it’s money well spent to prevent you from getting the car that’s a lemon. It is possible to pay anywhere from $100-$200 to have an inspection. What should you do if you purchased a car that has been damaged by water If you’ve purchased a vehicle with water damage, it might never be destroyed. Repairs can be made to the car with a skilled mechanic. However, remember that these aren’t DIY repairs. They will require professionals with extensive understanding of automobiles. It’s also worth bearing in mind that fixing an affected vehicle after a flood won’t be cheap, so you’ll need to decide if it’s worth the cost. In particular, since flood-damaged vehicles generally don’t have a resale value. The bottom line Flood-damaged vehicles are in use in every state across this nation. If you think that a vehicle could have been affected by flooding or some other sort of water related event, there are several steps to consider, including completing a car history report, looking for obvious indications of water damage, and having the vehicle inspected by a professional. Be aware that even if you do not reside in an area impacted through flooding you could unknowingly end up with a water damaged vehicle. 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. Written by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been writing and editing for Bankrate since late 2021. They are passionate about helping readers gain the confidence to take control of their finances by providing concise, well-researched and well-researched content that breaks down complicated topics into manageable bites.
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