How to avoid buying a water-damaged car Advertiser Disclosure Advertiser Disclosure We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our aim is to assist you make better financial choices by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators that provide original and impartial content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free to help you make sound 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 Make money The products that are advertised on this website are provided by companies that pay us. This compensation can affect the way and when products are featured on this site, including such things as the sequence in which they appear in the listing categories, except where prohibited by law. Our loan products, such as mortgages and home equity and other products for home loans. However, this compensation will affect the information we provide, or the reviews that you read on this site. We do not contain the vast array of companies or financial offerings that could 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 late 2021. They are committed to helping readers gain the confidence to control their finances with precise, well-researched, and well-researched data that breaks down otherwise complex topics into manageable bites. The Bankrate guarantee
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Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order 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 elements, like our own website rules and whether the product is available in the area you reside in or is within your personal credit score could also affect the way and place products are listed on this site. We strive to provide an array of offers, Bankrate does not include specific information on every credit or financial product or service. Auto buyers across the country may be impacted by destructive floods by unknowingly purchasing damaged cars. Used and new cars that have been damaged by floods of significant magnitude such as the Hurricane Ida which hit 2021 in the year 2021 may find their way to the market following a storm. Carfax information suggests that as many as 212,000 vehicles could have been damaged by the hurricane Ida. When flood-damaged vehicles are sold in the market, buyers are often faced with expensive electrical and mechanical problems which surface after a few months. Even if you don't live in a place where flooding is common you can still inadvertently purchase a car that has water damage. Carfax research has also revealed that vehicles that have been damaged by water are present across all states, which means buyers from coast to coast are in danger of buying a flood-damaged car. How to tell if the car is damaged by water? Cars with water damage can be difficult to identify. They are usually clean and can even run smoothly for a while. However, eventually you could encounter issues as cars that have been flooded decay from the inside out. Here are a few indicators that your car could have water damage smell musty: The interior of water-damaged cars will often smell musty. Some sellers will try to hide the scent with strong air fresheners but it can be very difficult to completely remove a car from a smelly moldy smell. One method to determine the smell of a car is to sit inside and close the windows. Carpets that are damp or moist: Water damage can collect in areas you cannot immediately be able to see, like under carpeting. Feel the carpets throughout the car, and rub them to try and locate any possible moisture buildup. Also, check the trunk and remove the spare tire in order to check for any water underneath it. Carpeting that is stained or unmatched carpeting: Another sign for water-related damage could be a vehicle with loose or stained carpeting or upholstery. Look for blotchy, brown stains, which are signs of water damage. In the course of inspections, compare floor carpeting to the upholstery on the doors and the roof. All of them should appear like they are of the same quality and age. Rust: A vehicle with water damage might be covered in rust on the doors, in the hood or even under the dashboard. Screws, door hinges or trunk latches as well as door handles may also be showing signs of rust. Brittle wires: Check under the dashboard if you suspect a car may have water damage. The presence of brittle wires may suggest that the car was impacted by a water event of some type. Fog or water beads: If a vehicle's interior lights and instrument panel, as well as exterior lights appear to be hazy or contain water beads in them, consider it a warning sign that the vehicle might have water damage. Mud or silt buildup: When there is a flood, water can carry dirt and mud into vehicles. After the flood has gone but the dirt remains. Some of the areas to look for silt and mud are the trunk, glove compartment and under the dashboard and under the seats. 4 ways to avoid buying the car that has been flooded. If you think that a vehicle may have flood or water damage it is important to do your homework and find out whether your suspicions are right. There are a variety of tools to help you get to the root of this vital issue, and also signs to be alert for. 1. Check the history of your vehicle The process of running a car history report can reveal issues with a car before you make a purchase. The most obvious indicator of a car that has been damaged by water will be one marked as an example. Departments of motor vehicles require permanent title marks for vehicles that have been badly destroyed by floods. If the vehicle is declared to be totaled, it's required to get a new title entirely which is labelled "salvage" or "flood." Based on the stateof the vehicle the fact that this happened could be indicated with a numeric code. Carfax and Experian offer flood check tools that allow users to conduct a free check on the past of a car. The platforms require only your VIN of the vehicle that is being investigated. When looking through a car's history take a look for cars that come from areas affected by flooding. The National Insurance Crime Bureau also provides VIN checks online that permit consumers to find out whether the car is salvaged. You will want to look at a vehicle's history report for any sign that the vehicle has been sold numerous times in a short period of time. Be particularly leery of a past history that has buyers in multiple states. It could be a sign of what's known as "title washing,"" where unscrupulous sellers retitle the car several times to conceal the car's history. 2. Look for evidence of water damage Cars that were submerged in water will often show evident signs, but they may be subtle particularly if the vehicle is being cleaned for sale. Take note of the smell of mold or musty that emanate from the climate control system. Note any stains that appear on the interior of the vehicle, engine compartment and trunk. Sand, dirt or mud in odd places , and seat belts that sound gritty when pulled or retracted are also indications of damage from water. It's also crucial to test drive a vehicle in particular, particularly one that might be prone to flooding or water damage. Tips to look out for while you're driving include compromised electrical systems and infotainment systems. These systems will be triggered if they've been impacted by water. Also, look for signs of smoke in your test drive. 3. Be cautious of vehicles which are priced at a lower value There's a reason for the saying that something is too good to be true. For instance, cars are priced way below market value, which is often an indicator that something is not right. Find the average selling price for the vehicle you are considering buying on independent vehicle pricing sites like Edmunds and Autotrader. A new or used car priced below market value is an indicator the seller is anxious to dispose of the vehicle. Buyers must be cautious when a car is advertised at a substantial discount. In addition to asking questions regarding the reason why the car is being offered for a lesser price than it should be an offer, it could be a good idea to have the car examined by a professional who will find any issues. 4. Get a professional inspection It's generally a wise idea employ a certified mechanic or automotive technician to go through and thoroughly examine a vehicle prior to you purchase it, but it's more important to do this in order to protect yourself from damage caused by water on your car. A professional will calm your mind, especially in the event that the vehicle you're considering has one or more of the signs that are listed in this article. Check that the inspection does not just include obvious indications of water damage, but also a thorough inspection of all the electronics equipment, since problems with these systems can be a long time before they are discovered. While a pre-purchase inspection will generally be paid by the buyer, it will be an investment in the event that it stops the buyer from buying a car that is an absolute lemon. It is possible to pay anywhere from $100-$200 to have an inspection. What to do if you purchased a car that has been damaged by water If you've bought a car with water damage, all might not be lost. Repairs can be made to the car with a skilled mechanic. However, remember that these aren't DIY fixes. They will require a professional who has extensive knowledge of cars. Also, keep in mind that repairing a flood-damaged vehicle will not be inexpensive, and you'll have to figure out if the car is worth the expense. Especially since flood-damaged cars typically have no resale value. In the end, flood-damaged cars are used throughout the nation. If you think that a vehicle might have been damaged by flooding or some other kind of water-related event, there are several steps to follow, such as obtaining a vehicle history report, looking for telltale evidence of water damage, and having the vehicle checked by a qualified professional. Be aware that even if you don't live in an area affected with flooding, it is possible that you might unknowingly end up with an automobile that has been damaged by water. Learn 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 through providing precise, well-studied information that breaks down complicated topics into manageable bites.
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