What To Look For When Buying A Flooded Car

If you're looking for short-term use of a car, a flood-damaged car may be a sensible solution. A good candidate for a flood-damaged car may be a recent college grad who needs a car just long enough to get to job interviews, and who plans to buy a new car after employment. Snowbirds, or retirees who live in the north and spend winters in warmer climates, may want a car they can leave at their southern home for the summers, and a flood-damaged car may be just the ticket. Salvage cars are also popular among car enthusiasts who enjoy buying damaged cars on the cheap and then rebuilding them with new parts.

Any car that's been subjected to water should be sold well below market value, and unless the dealership can prove extensive restoration, you should be offered a dream deal. After all, when buying a flood-damaged car, you're assuming a substantial financial risk that major repairs could be necessary. Make sure that you don't pay more for the car than you're willing to pay if the worst-case scenario occurs. Also know that when a car is flooded, typically, the manufacturer's warranty is voided.

If you suspect that a used car you're interested in buying might have been flooded, proceed with caution. Get a vehicle history report, which will detail the car's past, including the states in which it's been registered. It also should reveal any title branding for flood damage, even if a middleman has washed the vehicle's title by moving it through states with differing regulations.

Water-damaged cars can be hard to spot. They often look fine and may even run well for a little while. Eventually, however, you are likely to face problems as flooded cars rot from the inside out. Here are some of the signs that a car may have water damage:

Buyers should tread cautiously when a car is being listed for a significant discount. In addition to asking questions about why the car is being offered for much less than it should be, it may be a good idea to have the vehicle looked at by a professional who can identify any problems.

\\u201COur data shows there\\u2019s still much work to be done in helping consumers avoid buying flood damaged cars,\\u201D Raines said in the press release. \\\\\\\"They can, and do, show up all over the country, whether it be a few miles or hundreds of miles from where the flooding occurred. With two devastating storms already this year, it\\u2019s vital for used car buyers everywhere to protect themselves from flooded cars that may wind up for sale. Start with a thorough test drive, a vehicle history report and a mechanic\\u2019s inspection before buying any used car.\\\\\\\"

This is a good time to remind you what to look for if you are going to be in the market for a used car anytime in the next year. Some of these flooded cars will show up quickly, others will take longer. It is important to note that many times, the problems with flooded cars do not show up until later.

And it's not just the California storms we need to worry about. When we have major hurricanes in other states, scammers will often clean those cars up and ship them out to states like California, where drivers may not be as cautious about buying flooded cars.

Aesthetically, flood-damaged cars can be cleaned and restored to a very high standard, in many cases the car can be left looking almost new. However this isn't to say that all is well when it comes to the core mechanics of the car; there is often risk involved with purchasing and selling a car that has had prior flood damage.

Insurance companies typically declare flooded vehicles as total losses, because repairing and refurbishing a flooded vehicle is an expensive undertaking. Electricity and water don't mix. Water damage can significantly impact a vehicle's reliability and life expectancy, and it could happen years after the purchase when the unsuspecting buyer has no options for justice. As a used car buyer, you should try to avoid flooded vehicles at all costs.

As Richmond auto accident attorneys and personal injury lawyers, we want to help you avoid buying a flood-damaged vehicle, which can be dangerous to operate. Following are some tips for spotting flooded or junked vehicles that may have been repaired and refurbished.

When hurricanes hit, vehicles are often flooded. The obvious questions that come up after a flood are whether the vehicle is safe to drive or what to do if a vehicle is destroyed. A not-so-obvious question for a flood victim or any used-car buyer: How do I make sure a vehicle I'm buying wasn't previously damaged in a flood Below are frequently asked questions and answers. 781b155fdc