A reputable car dealer won't sell you a car that's been in a flood. However, dealers are often duped by people who purposely hide information so they can unload a flood car on a private buyer or anyone else who will hand over cash. And these tricksters are good at what they do. There are more than 800,000 used cars on the road that have had their title "washed" or cleaned of all evidence that links it to a flood.
If scammers are that good at hiding information, it's not unreasonable to think that some reputable dealers have unsuspectingly had flood cars on their lot at one time or another. The only way to be sure that you're not getting a flood car is to do a thorough inspection before you buy any used car. Following are some signs that a car has been in a flood.
Musty Smell
A good cleaning and a strong air freshener can hide a moldy odor temporarily. However, after a vehicle has been closed up for a bit, the smell inevitably comes back. If you smell a musty or moldy scent as soon as you open the door, there's a strong possibility that the car has been wet at some point. If you can't smell anything at first, remove all air fresheners and sit in the car with all the doors and windows closed for a few minutes.
Wet Spare Tire
Water tends to collect in the spare tire well that's located in the trunk of most vehicles. Unfortunately, most people don't check this area. Always open the trunk, lift the spare tire and look for signs of water damage underneath. If there is water laying in the trunk, if the carpet is damp or if there is rust, mold or any other evidence of water that's long dried up, walk away from the car.
Rust Spots
Rust and corrosion are a common problem with flood cars. Be sure to check both the inside and outside of the body for signs of corrosion, paying particular attention to brackets, screws, hinges, springs and so forth. Be especially wary of rusted metal that should never have been exposed to water, such as the springs under the car seats.
Finally, always have any car that you're thinking about purchasing thoroughly evaluated by a mechanic. If you do your due diligence before buying a used car, you will greatly lessen your chances of purchasing a flood car.
For more tips on buying used cares, contact a company like Star Auto Mall LLC
Share20 August 2015
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