Flood water can damage a car's electrical system, engine, transmission and interior, and the problems sometimes don't show up until months later. Some flooded cars are cleaned up and sold without the buyer knowing. A few minutes of checking can save you from a costly mistake.
Use your nose and hands
- A musty or mildew smell, or heavy air freshener covering one up
- Damp carpet or floor mats, especially under the seats
- Carpet that looks newer than the rest of the interior
Look in places people don't clean
- Mud, sand or silt under the seats, in the trunk and in the spare tire well
- A water line on the door panels, in the trunk or in the engine bay
- Rust on seat rails, seat bolts and screws under the dashboard
- Fog or water droplets inside the headlights or taillights
Test the electronics
Try every window, lock, seat control, light, the radio and the dashboard gauges. Flickering lights, warning lights or features that work sometimes can all point to water damage in the wiring.
Check the vehicle's history
Look up the VIN in a vehicle history report and check the title. A title branded flood, salvage or rebuilt is a major warning sign. Keep in mind that not every flooded car gets reported, so a clean report isn't a guarantee.
Get a pre-purchase inspection
Before you hand over any money, have a mechanic look at the car. We'll meet you where the car is, whether that's the seller's driveway or a small lot. We scan the car's computers, check for corrosion and water damage, and look over the engine, brakes, suspension and more. Then we tell you in plain English what we found, so you can buy with confidence or walk away.