Quantcast
Channel: with Lisa Copeland » Blog Page
Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 68

Buyer Beware- Flood Damaged Cars

0
0

With all the recent flooding across the United States, the damage has been catastrophic. Not only have homes been destroyed, but thousands of cars, motorcycles and boats were among the damages. Both car buyers and car dealers must stay on high alert for these damaged vehicles.

As insurance companies start to pay claims, we will start to see these vehicles getting traded in or showing up in the auction lanes and on car lots. Reputable dealers will not accept these vehicles on trade. But as a consumer, the ultimate responsibility is on you. Buyer beware has a whole new meaning when a catastrophic event occurs.

To recap, here are just a few spots recommended to check for flood damage:

  • Seat tracks: Do they move? Are they rusty? If the vehicle has power seats, do they function? Check the bolts on the rails and look under any caps — if the bolts are rusty, the vehicle may have previously been involved in a flood.
  • Engine bay and exterior:  Are there water lines anywhere in the engine compartment or on the outside body/inside the fender wells? Rust lines? Unusual debris?
  • Interior smell: Does the vehicle have a musty odor? Is any of the interior upholstery discolored or look unusually new or replaced?
  • The Trunk: Be sure to open it up and feel around the carpet there as well. Then take out the spare tire and feel the material underneath. This is a location where water tends to collect and it can be missed during even the most thorough of preparations for the lot.
  • A compromised electrical system: this is a critical and potentially life-threatening hazard inherent in cars exposed to high waters for extended periods of time. You’ll want to test the car extensively to ensure all electrical components are operational
  • Check the oil: Oil in a flood-affected vehicle will be a different color, sometimes compared to coffee with milk or a chocolate milkshake. The oil may be pale when it should be dark. Oil that’s been affected by flooding may also feel sticky to the touch.
  • The air filter: while you’re under the hood check the paper air filter. If it has water stains, that’s another clue that water has seeped in where it shouldn’t have.

Last but not least, be an informed consumer. You can learn the history of the car in many ways, including running a Car Fax report or contacting the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). By having the VIN number of the car – usually located at the bottom of the windshield on the driver’s side, you can run it through these sites to see the history, including if it’s ever been salvaged or wrecked. Then you can decide if it’s the right car for you!

The post Buyer Beware- Flood Damaged Cars appeared first on with Lisa Copeland.


Viewing all articles
Browse latest Browse all 68

Latest Images

Trending Articles





Latest Images