Experian Offers Consumers Free Online Service to Identify Storm Damaged Vehicles

AutoCheck Storm Scan Offers Consumers Access to Clearinghouse of Hurricane Damage Information, including Dealer-Reported Data

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Oct. 25 -- Experian Automotive, a division of global business solutions company Experian(R), today began offering free storm damage vehicle information to consumers through a new AutoCheck Storm Scan feature at http://www.autocheck.com/storm .

AutoCheck Storm Scan provides consumers with information regarding storm- damaged vehicles in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Using this Web site, consumers can enter a vehicle identification number to determine if a vehicle was reported titled or registered within the last 12 months in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama or Texas, reported as storm damaged by a dealer or manufacturer, or branded as salvage or flood damaged in a state affected by the hurricanes.

"Our data tells us that storm-related damage to vehicles isn't limited to just flooding. We have found that states brand up to ten times as many cars 'salvage' as they do 'water damage' after a hurricane," said Scott Waldron, president of Experian Automotive. "Potential used car buyers need to safeguard themselves from purchasing storm damaged vehicles from unscrupulous sellers and should be sure that their check includes salvage vehicles."

In addition to this precaution, Experian Automotive recommends a thorough vehicle inspection. The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and Experian Automotive offer consumers ten inspection tips to help detect significant water damage:

  -- Check the vehicle's title history, it may state whether it has
     sustained flood damage;
  -- Examine the interior and the engine compartment for evidence of water
     and grit from suspected submersion;
  -- Check for recently shampooed carpet;
  -- Check under the floorboard carpet for water residue or stain marks from
     evaporated water not related to air-conditioning pan leaks;
  -- Look for rust on the inside of the car and under interior carpeting and
     visually inspect all interior upholstery and door panels for any
     evidence of fading;
  -- Check under the dashboard for dried mud and residue, and note any
     evidence of mold or a musty odor in the upholstery, carpet or trunk;
  -- Check for rust on screws in the console or other areas where the water
     would normally not reach unless submerged;
  -- Check for mud or grit in alternator crevices, behind wiring harnesses
     and around the small recesses of starter motors, power steering pumps
     and relays;
  -- Complete a detailed inspection of the electrical wiring system, looking
     for rusted components, water residue or suspicious corrosion;
  -- Inspect the undercarriage of other components for evidence of rust and
     flaking metal that would not normally be associated with late model
     vehicles.

While it's too early to know exact numbers, some experts estimate more than 500,000 cars were significantly damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Consumers can access the AutoCheck Storm Scan feature by visiting http://www.autocheck.com/storm .

About Experian Automotive

Experian Automotive delivers information solutions to manufacturers, dealers, finance and insurance companies, and consumers. Experian helps automotive clients increase customer loyalty, target and win new business, and make better lending and vehicle purchase decisions. Its National Vehicle Database, housing more than 450 million vehicles, along with Experian's credit, consumer and business information assets, meets the industry's growing demand for an integrated information source. Experian's advanced decision support services help clients turn this information into improved business results. Experian technology supports several top automotive web sites including eBay Motors, CarsDirect.com and NADAguides.com. For more information on Experian Automotive and its suite of solutions, visit our web site at http://www.experianautomotive.com/ .

About Experian

Experian is the global leader in providing value-added information solutions to organizations and consumers. It has an unrivaled understanding of individuals, markets and economies around the world.

Experian provides information, analytics, decision-making solutions and processing services. It assists organizations in understanding their markets and customers and helps them find, develop and manage profitable customer relationships to make their businesses more profitable. Experian promotes greater financial health among consumers by enabling them to understand, manage and protect their personal information and helping them control financial aspects of key life events.

Experian works with more than 50,000 clients across diverse industries, including financial services, telecommunications, health care, insurance, retail and catalog, automotive, manufacturing, leisure, utilities, e-commerce, property and government. A subsidiary of GUS plc with headquarters in Nottingham, UK, and Costa Mesa, Calif., Experian's 12,000 people in 28 countries support clients in more than 60 countries. Annual sales exceed $2.5 billion.

For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.experian.com/ .

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