Watch Out for a Used Car in Your Area That Has Been Flooded

Watch Out for a Used Car in Your Area That Has Been Flooded

Can you expect to see a flood car in your area soon?

The southern coastline has been severely damaged by recent hurricanes, and the clean-up effort will take years at the very least. What worries me is the impending flood of autos onto the used car market. The issue isn't so much that the car is used, but that it could be lost in the flooding and hurricanes. In the auto industry, these vehicles are sometimes referred to as "flood cars."

You could be thinking, "Well, I don't live in these southern areas, so I'm not in danger of buying one of these flood cars by mistake." You couldn't be more wrong, I'm sorry. The likelihood of being duped into buying one of these vehicles really increases the further away you are from the hurricane damage.

Explain why you're more vulnerable. Ponder that for a moment. Since the flooding occurred in New Orleans, don't you believe locals there are aware that many of the used cars for sale in the area are likely damaged beyond repair? You can be sure that they are aware of that.

But do you believe Arizonans shopping for used cars would suspect they were flooded? It's quite unlikely, and the con artists behind these flood cars are well aware of this. I imagine these vehicles will be available as used automobiles for at least a year. Many people will suffer as a result of making the poor decision to buy one of these automobiles, as the problem is rather serious.

If an automobile that has been submerged in water can still be driven, what's the big deal? Despite my making it up, it's a fantastic question. However, while the engine itself may be fine and long-term engine damage may not have occurred, there are many other components of the car that may appear to be running normally at the moment but can deteriorate in the near future.

Most damage occurs to electrical cables and appliances. Underneath the car's carpet, in the dashboard, and throughout the engine bay is a maze of intricate wiring. Holes in the chassis and the body, as well as those around the doors, allow water to seep under the car and enter it. The complex system of wiring that lies beneath the carpet will be ruined if it gets wet. New carpet is installed over the old to hide any damage that may have been caused by the old carpet, which is easily changed, but the wiring under the vehicle is usually too intricate and expensive to restore.

If some of the cables get wet, so what? My good pal, Rust The adversary you face is rust, and you will soon have it. These cables will now deteriorate over time, with rust forming on any exposed areas. Electricity flowing through these wires will create a ground when it comes into contact with the rust. That gasoline pump, or whatever else the current was powering, will shortly stop functioning. It's not a simple process to locate the source of the problem among the kilometers of cable. It may take the mechanic many hours of troubleshooting work, during which they will have to take out the carpets and seats to get to the underlying problem.

A car's dashboard computer is typically installed in the floorboards only a few inches above the passenger's feet. The computer in some Japanese vehicles is installed beneath the passenger seat, above the floor mat. Wetness can ruin not only the computer system but also a wide variety of other electronic parts.

All may look good for the time being when the computer is replaced, but eventually the rust will spread to these other electrical components, and the effects will cascade. Your wallet will start to feel the effects of several monthly repair trips as one sensor after another fails and sporadic electrical problems emerge. In my opinion, rust is the disease of the automotive world; it can only be cured by relentlessly grinding it back.

Water can also have a long-term impact on other costly components, such as transmissions, without causing immediate symptoms. In the presence of water, the transmission fluid's characteristic pale pink color changes to a strawberry milkshake–like white and pink froth. There are countless wires, sensors, and O-rings and rubber seals packed into the transmission's intricate inner workings. The rubber parts will swell and leak as a result of the water, and the sensors and electrical components will quickly rust and fail as a result of the same factors.

So, how do you avoid buying a ticking time bomb that is a home that has been flooded?

Exercise extreme caution around any used vehicle you're considering purchasing.

Don't rush through the check-out and test-drive processes. Don't give in to aggressive salespeople; a good deal now is probably still a good offer tomorrow.

Third, check for rust on the metal seat frame and seat tracks beneath the driver's and passenger's seats.

Read the headline four times (the fabric on the roof inside the car). When exposed to water, the glue holding this fabric in place will degrade, causing it to either collapse entirely or to collapse in little, bubble-like parts.

Look for extensive rust in the vehicle's undercarriage and exhaust system. I would consider a little rust to be typical; if you have any concerns, go to your mechanic.

For number six, follow your nose. If the car's inside has a musty or moldy odor, or if your skin feels wet after entering, get out quickly!

Seven, take off the wheels so the brakes may be checked. Brake components are especially susceptible to corrosion and should be checked whenever you evaluate a used car.

Make sure there is no water in any of the fluids under the hood. In the same way that a mixture of oil and water will resemble a chocolate milkshake, a mixture of oil and transmission fluid or power steering fluid will resemble a strawberry milkshake.

Have the dealership or seller provide you with a signed document stating that, to the best of their knowledge, 1. The car was not submerged in water, and 2.The car has not been involved in any type of insurance claim that could have resulted in the original owner selling the vehicle to their insurance company as a "total loss."

It's not wise to put all your trust in these reports, but they can be a great resource for learning more about the vehicle. The data you find on CarFax can be outdated or incomplete.

Look in the trunk for the caper tying and the spare tire.11. Since this is one of the lowest points of the car, water and rust are more likely to collect here. Avoid any car that has standing water or corrosion around the spare tire, as these are telltale symptoms of flood damage.

In my experience, the used car checklist on my website is among the best available. If you're a serious customer, you should print it out and follow the instructions. If you aren't in the market for a used car right now but know someone who is, please forward this article and the accompanying checklist to them.