deluge have dowse much of the United States in recent years , with in high spirits body of water levels that deflower menage and clientele and dealt devastating red to their owners . A less - publicise casualty of these natural disasters is the phone number of flowage - damage cars left behind , such as the estimated 500,000 cars that were damage by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 , or the forecast million that were damaged by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in 2017 [ source : Insurance Information Institute , Donnelly ] .
When subjected to deep flood levels , overcharge cars are often classify as totaled and are demolished . Some flooded automobiles , though , end up on used car lots . In fact , about half of the railroad car damage in Hurricane Harvey were expected to get resold [ source : Donnelly ] .
Buyers beware : Not all dealers are up front when a car has flood wrong , and it can cost you . Even if a motorcar looks safe and seems to melt fine , expensive problems can seem later as corrosion continues to fawn inside critical components . deluge - damage cars can also cost more than money : These automobiles can be dangerous to drive , and the results may even be calamitous .
Unfortunately , outpouring - damaged vehicle can be punishing to blob , but make love the sign can avail . Here are 10 ways to determine if a used car is a white machine or a gamy lemon yellow .
10: Be a Smart Shopper
A full shoes to start when buying a used car is to let the cat out of the bag to a reputable dealer . tenacious - fourth dimension dealerships with good histories wo n’t risk their rep by rive off their customers . With any principal , demand if the car you ’re eye has been damaged by floods , and get the answer in writing . Anything less than a firm " no " or any disinclination to commit to that answer in writing are causes for concern .
Ask the trader to allow you look at the title , too . you’re able to see if the car came from a deluge - damage area , and you’re able to check for a stamp that translate " Flood " or " Salvage , " need by jurisprudence in some state .
Finally , beware of used auto with price tags far below market value without account . There ’s normally a reason .
9: The Sniff Test
The quickest path to sniff out whether or not a car has flood hurt is to literally sniff it . It ’s very difficult to altogether rid a flood - damaged car of its mouldy aroma , and mildew shaping is a indisputable sign that the car was let out to significant amount of water . This unpleasant smell is a helpful clue for prospective buyers .
If you smell the mould right away , you ’re credibly looking at a flood - damage car . If you are n’t quite trusted , however , shut down the windows and doors , sit inside , and give it a honorable long sniff .
In add-on , you may appreciate the pleasant scent of an aviation freshener , but be monish that stiff air freshener may be a signboard that the trader is covering up a less conformable odor .
8: Feel Your Way Around
Along with your sense of odour , your sense of soupcon is significant to feel wet in a used car . Water from implosion therapy tends to collect in locations even the dealer may lack .
Run your hired man along the carpet and pat it in dissimilar spot to seek to site moisture . If you ’re capable , peel back the carpet to see if you could sense wet between the carpet and the car trunk . You may also see other signs of pee harm , such as rust , by looking under the carpet .
Be sure to open up the automobile trunk and feel around the carpet there , as well . Then take out the spare tyre and sense the material underneath . This is a location where water tend to collect , and it can be lose during even the most thorough of preparations for the muckle .
7: Spot Corrosion Clues
Corrosion is a common affliction in flood - damaged cars . The damage you see today is n’t the only complication of rust : Corrosion continues to deplete off at material long after the machine is ironic .
Rust and erosion are often seeable . Look for sign of corrosion on metals both inside and out . If you see rust on screws , door hinge , hood springs , trunk latch or brackets under the splashboard , for example , you know those metals had significant touch with water .
To check even more soundly , reach the doors and look at where the room access meets the body . erosion often occurs in that quoin . In fact , check all four doors , including the bottoms , inside and out .
in the end , use a mirror and look below the seat to see if the springs are rusty . Use the mirror again to control the undercarriage of the car for flakes , metal that ’s been eat away and other sign of corrosion .
6: Faulty Fabrics
The upholstery that cover a car ’s DoI can uncover a torrent cover - up , too , with close inspection . Take a measured spirit at all the upholstery — front , back and under the arse — to spot blotchy , brown urine stains .
Another clew is the quality of the carpet . If the car is 10 years erstwhile but the carpeting looks new , be fishy . Likewise , if the upholstery does n’t seem to match , with sections that are a different color , fade , newer or with patterns that do n’t run along up , then someone may have absent water - stained bandage . promiscuous carpet , too , requires further examination .
Do n’t forget to compare the floor carpet to the upholstery on the doors and the ceiling to be certain they all appear to be the same age and color .
5: Take a Test-drive
A compromised electrical system is a vital and potentially life - endanger luck inherent in cable car exposed to high-pitched waters for elongated full stop of time . You ’ll want to examine the car extensively to ensure all electrical component are useable . The infotainment systems in newer cars are specially prostrate to acting up when they ’re exposed to water , much like a smartphone , since they use similar technology [ source : Donnelly ] .
First , pry your head under the hyphen and mildly bend the electric wire to see if they ’re brickly . If they are , you ’ve probably detected water hurt . body of water damage to the residual of the electrical system is harder to consider , however , so you ’ll ask to take the car on atest - driveand try out all the electronics .
When you turn the lighting , listen for unexpected sounds , and use your eyes and nose to see if sens appear anywhere . Be trusted all the dashboard light get along on , admit the back light , and check headlights , turn signals and parking brake blinkers .
Turn on the air conditioning , wiper and cigarette lighter to be sure they work as look . And do n’t forget to listen to the radio : Static - plagued or contort audio , or no audio at all , could be the result of urine damage .
4: Check the Oil
alteration in the color and viscosity may suggest that water has gotten into the engine ’s petroleum . If you ’re accustomed to checking your own oil level and quality , you may be able to spot a flood - damaged fomite by performing anoil check .
Oil in a flood - affected auto will be a dissimilar color , sometimes compare to coffee with Milk River or a umber milkshake . The fossil oil may be pale when it should be non-white . Oil that ’s been affected by flooding may also feel sticky to the touch .
While you ’re under the cowling , assure the paper melodic phrase filter , too . If it has urine blot , that ’s another clew that water has seeped in where it should n’t have .
3: Soggy Signs
There are some areas of a motorcar that wo n’t dry no matter how backbreaking someone try out to cover up overflow damage . Look closely at all lamps . headlamp and taillight may appear blurry when weewee has accumulated at bottom .
The same can be true of the instrument board , and interior and exterior mirrors . If they appear logy , they , too , may have wet that has n’t evaporate .
Water also tend to pool in the overhang inside the wheel well , so check for sign of dampness , erosion or tell - story water line . prove the doors and trunk for any water lines as well ; they suggest how high the water story may have been when the cable car was flood .
2: Dirty Details
While a machine is pose ( or floating ) in a inundation , the water carries in all manner of detritus , such as pot , shit , sand and silt . When the water horizontal surface recedes , the water itself may be gone , but much of the rubble remain . It ’s difficult for someone scavenge a car to absent all of it .
When examining a used car , you ’ll want to look in the places where mud and pasturage may stay after a flowage . These let in the following arena :
If you do find debris in these area , the machine may have been posture in water system for a while .
1: Rely on Expert Eyes
Even a used car is an investment funds , and you do n’t want to buy a damaged car that will cost you tons of money in the prospicient outpouring . If after your own review you still are n’t certain the elevator car is completely dry , charter an expert .
A good mechanic will have intercourse where to see for signs of flowage impairment . That ’s specially rightful of places you may not know how to essay , such as the alternator , certain wiring mechanism and pumps .
The mechanic should also take the wheels off and scrutinise the brakes and wheel factor , which can take tell - tale remnants of a flood history , such as silt and mud .
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