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Hurricane Ian flooded many cars. Don’t buy one of them


  • Hurricane Ian’s primary damage was to Florida residents and the Carolinas, but an unknown number of cars were also flooded during last weekend’s major storm.
  • If you’re buying a used car in the coming months, you don’t want to run into a car that’s flooded, especially if you don’t know that the car has been swimming.
  • Below, we list four steps to take if you suspect the vehicle you’re buying may have been flooded.

Hurricane Ian tore through Florida over the weekend, leaving at least 100 dead and millions in property damage. Before disappearing, Ian dropped more water on North and South Carolina. We still don’t know how many vehicles were damaged in the storm, but at least one McLaren P1 is taken away by rising water. By comparison, when Hurricane Ida hit multiple states, from Louisiana to New York, it damaged an estimated 212,000 cars, according to Carfax.

Once a vehicle has had a chance to dry and be cleaned, it can be difficult to notice if it’s flooded. Teresa Murray, consumer watchdog at American Public Interest Study Grouptold Car and Driver There are many ways a smart shopper can spot a previously flooded vehicle. There are many more reasons why you don’t want to end up with a flooded car, she says.

“You don’t want any part of a vehicle to be flooded, regardless of whether the damage is disclosed and regardless of the seller’s guarantee,” says Murray. “If you suspect a vehicle may have sustained flood damage, go ahead. Don’t be tempted to roll the dice. You’ll almost certainly buy headaches and just waste your money.”

Hurricane Ian makes landfall on Florida's west coast

Gerardo Mora|beautiful pictures

What happens if your car is flooded?

Murray says there are a number of ways car owners deal with flooded cars. If they have insurance and the car is damaged more than 75%, the insurance company will own and reimburse the car owner. These cars may appear on the used car market, but they will come with a lifesaver headline red flag. Uninsured owners can attempt to sell their flooded vehicle if the water does not render the vehicle immobile and these owners must disclose what happened to the vehicle. Some will and some won’t. Even if the seller tells potential buyers that the vehicle will only serve as a boat for the short term, the full extent of the damage may not be apparent, which brings us to foreshadowing of the story.

Steps to detect a car damaged by water

Courtesy of Federal Trade Commission and PIRG, here are a few things to keep in mind if you suspect you’re looking at a previously flooded vehicle:

  • Check for visual clues. These may not be obvious at first glance, so check under the seats and dashboard for mud or sand. Carpets may be loose, stained or mismatched. Is there moisture in the headlights? Are many of the components too new for the car? Rust around doors, especially near any latches such as screws, can signal that the vehicle has been underwater.
  • Use your nose. Any sign of mold or decay in the cabin or trunk area is a warning sign and you’re probably trying to cover something up.
  • Do some research. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) provides free, Searchable database A vehicle identification number (VIN) can become a salvage title even if the seller doesn’t speak out about the vehicle’s past, as long as the vehicle was insured when the damage occurred. Check to see if the vehicle was registered in Florida or the Carolinas until recently. The federal government also operates the National Motor Vehicle Ownership Information System (NMVTIS), which provides Free historical information about a vehicle. NMVTIS provides more detailed information, including accident and repair history, for a fee.
  • Ask for help. If you’re not sure but really want the car, have an independent mechanic take a look at it. A mechanic can spot signs of water damage in the powertrain or electrical system that you can’t see yourself.

Finally, be a good citizen and report fraud. The NICB, FTC and state attorneys general accept advice on shady figures selling flooded cars without disclosing what happened.

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