![]() ![]() If you’re unsure at all, get a pre-purchase inspectionįor a modest fee, nearly every mechanic or dealership will perform what's called a pre-purchase inspection, or PPI. The brake pedal should pulse against your foot and prevent the wheels from skidding if you operate an “emergency stop” by pressing hard on the brake pedal. Work your way up to carefully checking more advanced things like the anti-lock braking system, which relies on sensors that won’t work if their wires are corroded. A grinding noise from the brakes or steering, or a squeak over bumps might not be proof of a flood on its own, but if noises start coming from multiple places, it might be time to look for a different car. If everything checks out reasonably well, it’s time to go for a test drive. If the car was recently reupholstered, with a new headliner, carpet, or seat covers, it could be evidence of flood damage repair. Instead, look for more subtle issues, like an interior that’s almost too clean. ![]() An odorless car isn’t the equivalent of a clean bill of health. Many people consider a musky smell in the car to be another obvious sign, but modern detailing equipment can remove most odors. Look for anything that resembles an old textbook after a midnight coffee spill. Even without mud, the cardboard lining to which the headliner is attached could warp if it’s submerged. Similarly, if you see mud or sand in the trunk, or on the carpet your job is done, and the car is likely a junker. It should go without saying that if any part of the interior is wet, that’s a problem. Anywhere that water can pool is also worth investigating, such as the spare tire well in the trunk, or under the seats.īe suspicious of an interior that’s too clean If you can, reach underneath the car and see if there’s sand on the suspension. Do the same with the exhaust underneath the car. If you can see sand and dirt gathered at a constant level, almost like a dirt ring in a filthy bathtub, you have a good reason to believe the car was sitting in flood waters. Rust in any of these areas is a proverbial flashing red light.Īnd look for sand and dirt in places people don’t usually clean If you can, lift part of the interior carpet and look for rust on the floor, or on the bolts holding the seats down. Rather, look at the underside of the hood, inside the doors, and in the trunk. That’s not a major warning sign in and of itself. Some cars may have minor rust in a few locations anyway. If every single electrical item works, it’s a good sign, but not yet a conclusive piece of evidence. A faulty brake light, for example, might only become apparent under specific circumstances. Keep in mind that many electrical problems caused by floods don’t manifest themselves immediately, or even consistently. Condensation in the headlights isn’t a definite sign, but it’s one more point to remember as you look over the vehicle. Start with the basics, like the radio, the turn signals, and the windshield wipers. If you see corrosion forming on any of the other wiring on the car, however, take that as a bad sign.Įven if you don’t see physical proof of corrosion, you should attempt to use every single system on the car. Don’t use corrosion on a battery terminal as an indicator, because that’s a relatively common phenomenon anyway. While privacy laws prevent dealers from giving out a previous owner's personal details, the records may indicate signs of flood damage or repair.Ĭheck everything from electrical wiring to how well each system works. Most automakers link service records between dealerships. It may also be worth calling a dealership to ask about service records for the vehicle if it's a newer model. However, it is easier to skip the requisite reporting if repairing the car without the insurance company’s oversight. For example, if a car was insured at the time the flood occurred, the damage would almost definitely be reported. While dealers are required to disclose flood damage, there exist enough loopholes in the system that some cars inevitably sneak through. You can’t just stop there if the car you're looking at isn't marked by Carfax, however. If you get a positive result, you can stop with your investigation, because you don’t want that car. Run the VIN (vehicle identification number) through Carfax, which will tell you, for free, if a car has been in a flood. It sounds obvious that you should check the vehicle’s history to look for repairs, but it’s still an important step. ![]()
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