Harvey And Irma Will Flood Used Car m=Market

Last updated on Thursday, September 14, 2017

(UNDATED) - The Consumer Federation of America estimated that Hurricanes Harvey and Irma left millions of water-damaged automobiles in their wake, and that some of those cars will be flooding onto used car lots where they will be sold to unsuspecting car buyers.

CFA shared 10 tips on how to identify a vehicle that has been damaged by water.

Here are some important tips for avoiding a flood damaged vehicle:

Check the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) which is located on the driver's side dashboard, visible through the windshield, with the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System established by the U.S. Department of Justice. You'll have to pay a small fee for the information, but it's the most comprehensive data base. You can also check with the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) or CarFax (both currently offering free flood history information). Even if the database has no flood information, beware, as fraudsters have ways of getting around VIN registration information or it simply wasn't reported.
Use your nose. Beware if the vehicle smells musty or damp or if you smell some kind of air freshener. Close up the windows and run the air conditioner and check for a moldy smell.
Look for dirt, mud and water stains. Check the carpets, seat upholstery, cloth lining inside the roof, if you see any dirt or mud stains, beware. Feel under the dashboard for dirt or moisture and look in the glove boxes, ashtray, and various other compartments for moisture or stains. If you see straight stain line either on the inside of the door panel, engine compartment or trunk--watch out, that's probably how high the water went in the vehicle. Tip: If the carpeting, seat coverings or headliner seem too new for the vehicle, that's a sign that they may have been replaced due to flood damage.
Listen for crunch. Pull the seats forward and back and try all of the safety belts. If you're looking at an SUV with folding seats, try folding them all. Listen for the 'crunchy' sound of sand or dirt in the mechanisms or less than smooth operation.
Check the spare tire (or inflator) area. Look for mud, sand or stains on the spare tire and jack equipment and the well under the spare tire. Check under the trunk carpet for a rigid board and look to see if it is stained or has water damage.
Power up. Be sure to try all the power options including windows, locks, seats, moon roof, automatic doors, wipers, window washers, lights, AC system, etc. If any don't work, sound funny, or operate erratically, beware. And don't forget the sound system. Try out the radio, CD player and Bluetooth connectivity. Adjust the speakers front and back and side to side to listen for any crackling or speaker failure.
Check for rust or corrosion. Look around the doors, in the wheel wells, under the seats, under the hood and trunk and inside the engine compartment.
Look under the hood. Look at the air filter. It's often easy to check and will show signs of water damage. Check the oil and transmission fluid. If it looks milky or has beads of water, watch out.
Take a test drive and listen for unusual engine or transmission sounds or erratic shifting and acceleration. Set the cruise control to see if it is working properly.
Check out the head and tail lights; look closely to see if there is any water or fogging inside. Same with the dashboard--are any of the gauges foggy or containing moisture droplets.

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