Free Flood Check to Southwest

FAIRFAX, Va.--July 16, 2002--CARFAX announced today that they would make free CARFAX Flood Checks (www.carfax.com/flood) available to used car buyers and owners in Texas and surrounding states to assist them in avoiding flood-damaged wrecks.

As more storms pound residents in Texas, damage estimates continue to rise. A recent news report put estimated financial losses to date at more than $1-billion. Adding insult to injury, in the coming months, scam artists will reclaim flood-damaged automobiles, clean them up, and try to sell them to unsuspecting buyers.

Last year, as the southwest recovered from Tropical Storm Allison, Bruskin Research in conjunction with CARFAX, conducted a study to gauge consumer awareness of the problem of flood damaged vehicles. The study revealed that nearly two-thirds of the used car purchasers were unaware that water-damaged can be a major problem. Sixty-two percent (62%) said they were "completely unaware" it was a problem.

When asked to rank six (6) major problems associated with pre-owned vehicles, consumers ranked flooding fifth.

"Education is our main goal -- we want to make consumers more aware of the problem," says Scott Fredericks, vice president of CARFAX, "The free Flood Check is the first step consumers can take to protect themselves."

Although vehicles being damaged by current flooding may take a while to hit the markets, past water-damaged wrecks are already on the market. CARFAX also recommends that anyone buying a used car get a complete Vehicle History Report and a thorough inspection from a trained, trusted mechanic.

CARFAX is offering free, unlimited access to the Flood Check available immediately at www.carfax.com/flood.