How to Tell If a Car Has Been Flooded
Buying a used vehicle can save you lots of money compared to buying a new vehicle, but researching your purchase can help you avoid buying a flood-damaged vehicle. Some auto dealers and private sellers might attempt to sell a car that has been in a flood. If you know what to look for, you can spot these cars. A vehicle that has been in a flood can be dangerous to drive and expensive to fix.
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Instructions
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How to Tell If a Car Has Been Flooded
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Get a vehicle history report of the car by going to a vehicle history website, such as Carfax or autocheck.com
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Enter the VIN and it will provide a complete history of the car.
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3
Check for moisture and dirt inside the headlights, under the hood and inside the car.
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4
Check for signs of rust under the hood and the undercarriage of the car.
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Smell the car for mildew.
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Check for visible signs of water stains on the carpet and the fabric on the seats.
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Test drive the car for possible electrical problems with the car, checking the guages on the dashboard for signs of water.
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Tips & Warnings
Pay attention to the states the car was titled in too see if it was titled in a heavily flood zone state.
Car dealers or private sellers might attempt to cover up the flood-damaged car by using a salvaged title, a title where the history of the vehicle has been claimed a total loss by an insurance company because of an accident or flood damage. The vehicle is later repaired and then a salvaged title is issued.
If a car has been titled several times this could be an indication of a flood-damaged vehicle trying to be concealed
References
- Photo Credit yellow car, a honda japanese sport car model image by alma_sacra from Fotolia.com
