While the news reports concerning hurricanes, flood damages and
the travesty that was put upon the unfortunate victims have
slowed down, the dangers and hazards are still present.
With reports varying upwards of 600,000 vehicles damaged by
floodwaters, these cars and trucks will most certainly, and
already have, surfaced across the country, waiting on their next
victim.
It's easy to let your guard down with out much media publicity,
but used car buyers should be aware that these vehicles are
still out in the market, perhaps cross country in states that
are not affected by the floods.
A couple of common issues that have surfaced, that you should be
aware of, is sellers attempting to hide the origin of where
these cars came from. By registering the vehicle in different
states, it creates a paper trail that can be difficult to trace
unless you spend the time for researching.
Another common issue is sellers changing license plate frames or
adding an emblem from another state. This of course is designed
to hide or deceive the potential buyer of what state the car
came from.
The question remains, what steps should a consumer take to
minimize their risk of purchasing one of these damaged vehicles?
The below tips, ideas and suggestions will at least minimize
your risk of purchasing a car or truck that has been involved
with floodwaters.
Check the National Insurance Crime Bureau's web site at www.nicb.org, they have compiled
a list of vehicles that have that have been affected by
hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. While this list may not
include every single vehicle, it's a good place to start with.
Also run an online history report, once again, this database may
not be all-inclusive, but it's another step in the process of
elimination.
Knowledge Is King, and it can't have more meaning than in your
quest for a quality used automobile. Following the below
inspection tips will offer some added protection as well, and
perhaps is the most effective means of determining in the
vehicle was involved in floods.
·Inspect for grass and debris around the radiator, underneath
around the frame, front and rear suspension components, etc.
·Check for standing waterlines in the engine compartment, rear
firewall area, and even inside door pockets of the door panels
and interior trim areas.
·Mildew smell inside due to wet carpeting and padding indicate
the possibility water intrusions.
·Inspect connectors and wiring for signs of corrosion,
physically disconnect a few connectors and inspect the
terminals. Corrosion evidence will be a green or white chalk
type substance or rust color.
·Look for rusted bolts and metal components, particularly
underneath seats where water has been standing.
·Inspect for windows fogging up on the inside after the vehicle
has sat overnight, this is an indication that there may be water
underneath the carpet and or carpet padding.
·Inspect trunk area for waterlines, corroded connectors and
wiring. With a keen eye and a little knowledge you can minimize
the risk of spending thousands of dollars on a vehicle that has
potential long-term effects by water damage.
Usedcarwise.com offers a comprehensive "how to" course designed
to educate the average consumer on protecting themselves when
used car shopping. For more information visit the web site at www.usedcarwise.com or
call toll free 1 866 374 WISE (9473).
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