Thousands of flood-damaged cars may float back to market after Ida. How to spot one

 

Cars damaged in floodwaters caused by Hurricane Ida could soon be on the resale market, putting would-be buyers at risk.

Carfax spokesman Chris Basso estimates “378,000 flood-damaged autos were already on the roads” before Ida made landfall as a Category 4 storm in Southeast Louisiana last month, according to CNBC. The system left a trail of destruction stretching from the Mississippi Gulf Coast to the Northeast, leaving parts of New York City underwater.

“If history holds true, we’re looking at several thousand more [flooded] vehicles,” Basso told CNBC, “and a decent percentage of them will make it back into the market.”

Flood-damaged cars can be repaired and resold. However, potential buyers aren’t always privy to a vehicle’s history. This is largely because waterlogged cars “are often transported well beyond their original region after major storms,” according to Consumer Reports.

If flood damage is disclosed on a car’s title, it can be legally resold once it has undergone the necessary repairs and a re-inspection, the consumer watchdog agency said. Still, some water-damaged cars will float back on the market with a clean history.

That’s why experts encourage consumers to do a thorough inspection before buying a new ride — or pay a trusted mechanic to take a look.

How to spot a flood-damaged car

When determining if a car has flood damage, the Better Business Bureau said shoppers should always ask to see the title.

“If the title is stamped ‘salvage’ or has arrived from a recently flood damaged state, ask questions,” the BBB’s website states. “[Also] consider purchasing a vehicle history report of the vehicle, which includes information [on] if the car has ever been tagged as ‘salvage’ or ‘flood damaged’ in any state.”

The vehicle’s dashboard and electronic components, such as lights, radio and turn signals, should be checked carefully to ensure everything is in working order, according to the BBB. Over time, water can make its way into vital systems, corroding metals, short-circuiting wires and warping brakes or rotors, says Consumer Reports.

Carpeting and upholstery should also be checked for signs of dampness, mud or silt.

A smell-test is also necessary, Carfax says. If a car smells of mold or mildew, it’s likely been underwater. Other tell-tale signs of water damage include:

• Mud, dirt or debris under the seats or in the glove compartment
• Visible rust around doors, under the dashboard, on the pedals or inside the hood
• Brittle wiring under the dashboard
• Fogging or moisture beads in exterior and interior lights

All in all, experts say it’s best to pass up a car with potential signs of flood damage, “even if [it] looks acceptable and may be working when you inspect it,” Consumer Reports chief mechanic John Ibbotson said.