Tropical storms, Flash Floods and Hurricanes flood thousands of cars per year. Where are these cars now? They are all over the country at auctions and being sold by private buyers. Can they be a good deal? If you know what to look for, it is entirely possible that you might get a car that had light water damage. Here’s what to look for besides ordering an AutoCheck® Vehicle History Report.
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• Mysterious water lines inside the engine. Look for water lines or rust on the radiator, on the engine, the wheel wells and inside the car. Examining the car on a lift will help bring out the truth of the car. Cars that were severely damaged by water will be impossible to cover up when looking underneath the car.

• New carpeting or new upholstery that does not match the condition of the rest of the car. Look underneath the car mats and check near the floor panels, as you might be able to uncover some truth about the past. Look for mold, or a damp musty smell. Rust by the door hinges, in the trunk or near the floor panels can also mean water troubles. Spare tires are also something to check out because often times they wont be replaced. Don’t be fooled by water problems. If too much of that engine was sitting in water, you have a frustrating car life coming up.

• Get a pocket mirror and flashlight to give yourself a close look underneath the seats. All those parts that need to be in order to move the seat rust quickly and are a sure tell tale sign of water.

• Inspect the car’s air intake filter. Grass, twigs, and papers on the filter inside the air intake opening will show the car has been submerged in a flood.

• Run an AutoCheck® Vehicle History Report on the car, which will show if the car has been totaled or has been branded as flooded. Running a lemon check is not enough, so protect yourself with a report. You deserve to know!

This Article Can Be Helpful For Other Situations, Inlduding:

-Guide To Used Car Auctions

-How To Inspect A Used Car Yourself