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Source: The Better Business Bureau
Watch for discolored, faded or stained
upholstery and carpeting as well as watermarks and musty odors
Make sure the lights, windshield wipers,
turn signals, cigarette lighter, radio, heater and air conditioner all
work
Check the trunk, glove compartment and
under the seats and dash for signs of mud, rust or water damage
Make sure all dashboard gauges are
accurate and don't show signs of water
Since wet wires can become brittle after
they dry, try flexing some wires under the dashboard to make sure they
don't crack
Check the title -- specifically looking
to see if it's stamped "SALVAGE" or it came from a flood-damaged state
Ask if the car has been damaged by flood
water
Check the dealer's record with the
Better Business Bureau
Have the vehicle inspected by a trusted
mechanic before you buy
Don't Get Sunk by a Flood-Damaged Car
Sep 28, 2004
5:43 pm US/Eastern
In the market for a new set of wheels? Before you buy,
beware: you could end up getting soaked by a flood-damaged car down the
road.
Anytime flood waters rise, consumers should watch out for the ripple
effects. Hurricanes in Florida can mean flood damaged cars for sale right
here in Pennsylvania -- and car buyers may never know.
Cars floating down the street one day could end up in used car lots all
over the country; and if you think you couldn't end up with a vehicle that
was once up to its hood ornament in floodwaters, Consumer Attorney Susanne
Kimberland says think again.
"It could go to a
number of auctions before it ends up here --and you might never know it
was damaged." -- Susanne Kimberland, Consumer Attorney
It's called "Title
Washing." A car that's flooded in a state that requires a flood damage
title gets sold at an auction in a state that doesn't require flood damage
titles. From there, the car goes on to another auction before finally
going to a used car dealer who may or may not know the car had once been
underwater.
Kimberland says buyers can
protect themselves by looking out for some telltale signs of problems.
"Take a look and
see if there are water lines on the floor, in the trunk of the vehicle.
See if there is dampness... You may also notice there is a musty odor or
mildew in the car itself. Those are all indications there could be flood
damage." -- Susanne Kimberland, Consumer Attorney
Prospective buyers should
also make sure to ask about the history of the car; and if possible, check
CARFAX, a service that includes lemon checks, odometer checks and checks
for flood damage titles. It's worth the effort to avoid a car that could
be nothing but trouble.
"Once you end up
with some type of a mold and mildew, that's almost impossible to get rid
of. You may have issues of corrosion. You'll have issues with all of the
mechanical systems that have been affected." -- Susanne
Kimberland, Consumer Attorney
CARFAX is now offering free
flood checks for anyone shopping for a used car; consumers who want a more
extensive history can get one for a one-time fee of $20 or $25 for a
month's worth of shopping.
For more information,
click on the following links:
"Don't Get Soaked Buying a Flood-Damaged Car," Better Business
Bureau
Get a Free Flood Damage Check from CARFAX
The Lemon Dodger Avoid
problems before they occur with this worksheet from PA Lemon Law Attorneys
Kimmel & Silverman
How To
Spot Flood-Damaged Cars
The Scam After the
Storm? Consumers Can Be Taken for a Ride in Resold 'Flood Cars'
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Last Updated ::: 01/16/05
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