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How to Avoid Buying a Flooded Vehicle<br />
By: BJ Killeen / Down the Road<br />
Between the hurricanes, tornadoes, and<br />
monsoons, well over a million vehicles in<br />
the country have experienced some type of flood<br />
damage this year. With most cars, dented body panels and interior seats<br />
can be replaced, so when you look at the car, it will appear undamaged.<br />
But many items you can’t see can be affected by corrosion or other<br />
water-related issues - like sensors, electrical connectors, computer chips,<br />
and even wiring. Not to mention possible rust in the frame or floorboards.<br />
How can you protect yourself from purchasing a flood-damaged<br />
vehicle?<br />
While most insurance companies will write off the vehicle and sell it to<br />
a salvage yard, in some states, a salvage title isn’t required. This means<br />
you won’t know if that vehicle has been in a flood then cosmetically<br />
repaired. There are ways however, to protect yourself.<br />
First, be cautious about buying a vehicle from eBay or Craigslist; even<br />
though the <strong>web</strong>sites are reputable, the sellers may not be. For less than<br />
$50, you can run the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) through a<br />
service like AutoCheck or CarFax to see if the vehicle has been damaged.<br />
This also goes for non-flood damages as well, such as a car accident.<br />
If you are purchasing from a dealership, many pre-owned cars<br />
are bought at auctions, and a flooded vehicle may be sold there also.<br />
Reputable dealers will be happy to run a check on the vehicle for you.<br />
You also can do your own easy check. Does the carpet look brand new<br />
on an older vehicle?<br />
Does the car smell<br />
musty? Does<br />
the inside of the<br />
exterior lights look<br />
foggy? Any flaking<br />
around the bottom<br />
of the vehicle? Any<br />
rust spots?<br />
Finally, take<br />
the vehicle to a<br />
mechanic you trust,<br />
not one selected by<br />
the seller. Pay to<br />
have a thorough<br />
inspection.<br />
Spending $150 now<br />
will be worth it to save thousands later if you made a bad purchase.<br />
Remember, don’t be pressured into buying any vehicle at any time. You<br />
can always walk away if you have doubts.<br />
BJ Killeen has been an automotive journalist for over 30 years.<br />
She welcomes all questions and inquiries, and can be reached at<br />
bjkdtr@gmail.com<br />
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