If you’re looking for a new car and considering a used one, Carfax is warning about flood-damaged vehicles, especially here in Florida.
Many of the cars damaged in last year’s storms are now appearing for sale.
While vehicles deemed total losses by insurance companies should be scrapped, many are re-entering the used car market.
Consumer investigator Shannon Behnken spoke with Em Nguyen, a Carfax spokesperson. She noted that while these cars may look fine on the outside, they’re ticking time bombs inside, causing problems—and it’s best to steer clear.
“It could cause electrical problems,” “It could be dangerous, but also very costly to repair. It could be a health risk, as mold grows inside, and you might not even realize it’s there until after you’ve bought that flood-damaged vehicle.”
According to a new Carfax study, out of an estimated 482,000 flood-damaged vehicles in the U.S., more than 82,000 were in Florida. These cars are showing up at used car dealerships, on social media, and in auto auctions.
“Even a little rust on the pedals—whether it’s the gas or brake pedal—can be an issue, such as with automatic braking failures,” Nguyen said.
Carfax Offers These Tips:
Consumers looking to buy a used car and wanting to avoid flood-damaged vehicles should do three things:
- Use the free CARFAX Flood Check® tool at carfax.com/flood.
- Inspect the car and look for these seven signs of flood damage:
- Wet carpets
- A musty smell inside, sometimes masked by a strong air freshener
- Upholstery or carpets that may be loose, new, stained, or mismatched
- Rust around the doors, under the dashboard, on the pedals, or on the hood and trunk latches
- Mud or silt in the glove compartment or under the seats
- Brittle wires under the dashboard
- Fog or moisture in interior lights, exterior lights, or the instrument panel
- Have a trusted mechanic inspect the vehicle and take it for a test drive.
Image: Wfla
