A lot of cars, trucks and SUVs were destroyed or damaged when Hurricane Helene brought rain and a massive storm surge to the Florida coast last week, flooding driveways and parking garages. Some may have been ruined when the drivers tried to drive through a flooded area, which they should not have done. Many have undoubtedly added up.
But some of those cars you saw floating around in videos – or in your own neighborhood – could end up on used car lots, car auctions and in classifieds and social media ads in the coming months.
Cosmetically, these cars may look great, but if they have been even partially submerged, you may not be able to tell that they are rotting from the inside out. Flood water can cause mechanical, electrical, health and safety problems in any vehicle, even if it has only been underwater for a short time.
Once a flooded car is totaled, it is given a new title called a “salvage title” and is typically sold at auction to junkyards and people looking for parts. But that status is not always passed on to potential buyers.
Some unscrupulous sellers may also transport the vehicles far outside the flooded area, where potential buyers may not be suspicious enough to take a closer look, and they may conceal the vehicle’s history of flood damage through what is known as ‘title washing’, said Dennis Horton, director of the Better Business Bureau’s Rockford Regional Office. Some outright tamper with the documentation to make buyers believe the cars are in good condition.
And some water damage can take years to surface after the seller is long gone.
What does a flood do to a vehicle?
“The real danger is that these cars may look good and run well for a while, but sooner or later major problems will occur. Flooded cars literally rot from the inside out and the damage is often difficult to detect for untrained eyes.” said Carfax spokesman Chris Basso.
The immediate consequences are clear: foul or musty odors, rust, discolored interiors, engine smoke, strange noises and electronic damage.
In the long term, water can permanently damage computers and electrical systems that control the accelerator and brake pedals, steering and gear shift, air bag controllers, and safety and warning sensors. Corrosion may not be visible for months or even years if your car suddenly develops problems. or simply stops working. And then you’re stuck.
How do I know if a car was flooded or damaged during Hurricane Helene?
Ask to see the title. If the title says “salvage,” the vehicle is from a recently flooded area, or there is only a bill of sale, you will probably need to ask the seller some questions.
Check the vehicle history report. After insurers cover flood damage to a vehicle, the vehicle history report lists the status of a salvaged car. Carfax has a free flood check tool just for that purpose, or you can check out the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System. The National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) free database lists flood damage and other information, but if the vehicle was not insured it may not appear there.
Use your nose. Do you have a musty or strange smell in the car? This could indicate the presence of moisture in the past. You may also want to be leery of strong cleaning solutions or disinfectant scents, as this may indicate that a lot is being covered up. Be sure to turn on the air conditioning and smell a scent; it is more difficult to hide bad odors in the vents.
Check the dashboard. Make sure every meter and electronic device is working and accurate. Look for signs that the dashboard has been removed and check for water or condensation in the dials of older vehicles. Test the lights, windshield wipers, turn signals, cigarette lighter, electric locks, windows, radio, heating and air conditioning several times.
Pull back the carpet. Check for signs of water or mud. Is the carpet or upholstery discolored, faded or moldy? The carpets cannot be replaced without removing the seats, so look for evidence that those screws have been recently removed. Possibly even more troubling, is the carpet clearly brand new?
Check the interior areas. Do you have water or visible water lines in the headlights or taillights? Check the trunk, glove compartment and under the seats for signs of mud, rust or water damage. Look for mud and dirt on the underside of the dashboard where it is difficult to clean, and for rust, mud or discoloration in body seams and remote crevices in doors, under the hood and in the trunk. Another telltale sign: Have the rubber drain plugs under the car and at the bottom of the doors been removed recently?
Pop the hood. Look for standing water, mud or sand around the engine compartment. Try bending some wires there and under the dash to see if they bend or crack, as wet wires tend to become brittle as they dry.
On the hunt for rust: Look for corrosion anywhere on the vehicle, especially underneath. However, it can take some time for rust to become visible. A good place to check is the heads of unpainted, exposed screws under the dash.
Get going. Don’t take the seller’s word for anything. Take the car for a test drive.
Have it inspected by a trusted or AAA approved technician. Trust us, they know what to look for.
Take a look at the dealer. When looking at a vehicle from a dealer, it’s a good idea to check out their Better Business Bureau profile on bbb.org.
Can a car damaged by a flood be repaired?
That depends on the extent of the damage.
Minor floods that were quickly drained may not be much of a problem, but any vehicle that is seriously flooded or left partially or completely submerged for days is considered a total loss by insurance companies.
This article originally appeared on the Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Hurricane Helene: Water-damaged vehicles could flood the used car market
