Published on January 1st, 2015 | by Daniel Sherman Fernandez

Flood Damaged Vehicles, What To Look Out For, 10 Tips Presented

Here are 10 ways to determine if a used car you are looking at is a clean vehicle of a flood damaged write-off.

The quickest way to check out whether or not a car has flood damage is to take a strong sniff at the cabin. It’s very difficult to completely get rid a flood-damaged car of its moldy aroma, and mildew formation is a sure sign that the car was exposed to significant amounts of water. This unpleasant smell is a helpful clue for prospective buyers.
If you smell the mold right away, you’re probably looking at a flood-damaged car. If you are not quite sure, however, close the windows and doors, sit inside, and give it a good long sniff especially near the air-conditioner vents and under the carpets.
In addition, you may appreciate the pleasant scent of an air freshener, but be warned that strong air fresheners may be a sign that the dealer is covering up a less agreeable odor.
Along with your sense of smell, your sense of touch is important to sensing moisture in a used car. Water from flooding tends to collect in locations even the dealer may miss like under the seats and behind the dashboard.
Run your hands along the carpet and pat it in different spots to try to locate moisture. If you’re able, peel back the carpet to see if you can feel moisture between the carpet and the car body. You may also see other signs of water damage, such as rust, by looking under the carpet.
Be sure to open the boot and feel around the carpet there, as well. Then take out the spare tire from its housing and feel the material underneath. This is a location where water tends to collect, and it can be missed during even the most thorough of preparations for the lot.
Corrosion is a common affliction in flood-damaged cars. The damage you see today isn’t the only ramification of rust: Corrosion continues to eat away at materials long after the car has been dried out in the sheering sun.
Rust and corrosion are often visible. Look for signs of corrosion on metals both inside and out. If you see rust on screws, door hinges, hood springs, boot latches or brackets under the dashboard, for example, you know those metals had significant contact with water.
To check even more thoroughly, open the doors and look at where the door meets the body. Corrosion often occurs in that corner. In fact, check all four doors, including the bottoms, inside and out.
Finally, use a mirror and look below the seats to see if the seat runners and base is rusty. Use the mirror again to check the undercarriage of the car for flakes, metal that’s been eaten away and other signs of corrosion.

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Flood Damaged Vehicles, What To Look Out For, 10 Tips Presented

About the Author