How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Car

The Experts at NADAguides.com Offer Tips to Help Used Car Shoppers Avoid Buying a Flood-Damaged Ride

COSTA MESA, Calif., Jan. 20 -- Rain, hail, sleet, floods, mudslides ... this winter has definitely been a bear for residents all over the nation. But as the weather begins to break and as we approach the busy season for car sales, shoppers should be on the lookout for used cars that may have sustained flood damage this winter -- damage that can go unnoticed to the untrained eye.

The experts at NADAguides.com, a leading vehicle information website, offer the following tips to help used car shoppers avoid buying a flood- damaged car.

   1.  Check the vehicle's history.

       First thing's first -- be sure to check the car's title history at
       NADAguides.com to determine if the vehicle may have sustained
       significant water damage in the past.  Unless a car was considered
       damaged beyond the cost of repair, however, the title will not
       indicate flood damage.  Nevertheless, it's still a good idea to start
       your homework by obtaining a car's history report to be sure the
       vehicle wasn't considered a total loss due to excessive water damage.
       Vehicle history reports are available at the NADAguides.com Used Car
       Center.  Consumers can click on the Vehicle History Report tab in the
       Resources section for more information.

   2.  Use your nose.

       Your nose is a great tool in determining whether a car has sustained
       significant water damage in the past.  Virtually every flood-damaged
       vehicle will have an unusual musty smell, such as those odors brought
       on by mold or mildew.  No matter how dry a car might be on the inside
       today, use your nose as a guide to alert you to any water damage it
       may have sustained in the past.

   3.  Check for residue.

       Look for water and grit inside the car and inside the engine
       compartment as signs of a potential submersion.  Check under the
       dashboard for dried mud or residue and be sure to lift the trunk mats
       and check for signs of water, grit, mud or residue of any kind.  Be
       concerned if you notice excessive dirt, mud or water stains in or
       around areas of the vehicle that aren't exposed to the elements.  And
       don't forget to look for unusual or excessive moisture in the car's
       gauges.

   4.  Check the carpet.

       Check for recently shampooed carpet and be sure to inquire about
       newly installed carpets or headliners in relatively new vehicles --
       for the most part, carpets and headliners should last for many years
       without needing repair or replacement.

   5.  Look for rust.

       Look for rust on the inside of the car and under interior carpeting.
       Also, check for rust on screws inside the console or other areas of
       the car where water simply wouldn't reach had the car not been
       submerged and don't forget to check for surface rust under the trunk
       mats.

"These inspection suggestions won't detect flood damage in every case," said Mark Perleberg, lead auto expert at NADAguides.com, "but they're a great starting point. We advise shoppers to obtain a vehicle history report, perform their own inspection and if they're still uncertain, have a professional mechanic take a look at the vehicle prior to purchase for added peace of mind."