After a major natural disaster such as Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, it is not an uncommon thing to start seeing vehicles being offered for sale that were totaled due to flood damage. Edmunds is reporting that some sources say the potential loss could end up at 500,000 vehicles. After a little clean-up, some of these vehicles will be sent throughout the U.S. to sell to unsuspecting consumers.
The Better Business Bureau offers the following tips on how to avoid buying a flood damaged vehicle:
- Do Your Research. Get the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is located on the driver’s side dashboard near the window and on the driver’s side door. Make sure the VIN numbers are identical. The VIN number allows the buyer to check the history of a used vehicle. For a small fee, the Department of Justice’s National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) offers information about a vehicle’s title, odometer datam and certain damage history. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) maintains a free database that includes flood damage and other vehicular information. AutoCheck, a division of Experian, also offers a VIN search tool. You can also search online for companies that sell vehicle history reports, such as CarFax. Ask to see the title and look for words such as salvage or junk.
- Inspect the Vehicle. Do a visual inspection of the body and underbody, the trunk, seats and flooring for signs of water damage. Check the glove compartment for any paperwork that might show work/maintenance that’s been done on the vehicle. Look inside all storage areas for unusual dirt buildup. Trust your smeller; musty or moldy odors build up in a vehicle that has been flood damaged and the very strong smell of freshener could mean the seller is trying to hide a bad smell. Run the air conditioner for several minutes to see if there is a prolonged musty smell. Take the vehicle to a trusted mechanic for an inspection as they will typically be able to spot the signs of flood damage. The small fee they might charge could save you some real problems down the road. For a listing of BBB accredited auto service providers, click here.
- Test Drive the Vehicle. Be thorough when test driving a used vehicle and make sure to examine all of the features. While driving, carefully check the brakes, steering, and gear shifting. Make sure to listen to the engine for any noises. Test the windshield wipers, radio/audio components, turn signals/flashers and any other electrical options to make sure they are operational. Test drive the car on the highway, back roads, through traffic and any other types of terrain you would possibly drive the vehicle on.
For more information, please contact BBB at ddove@indybbb.org or 317-713-6088.
About BBB® Serving Central Indiana
The Council of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for the local, independent BBBs in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as home to its national and international programs on dispute resolution, advertising review, and industry self-regulation. BBB Serving Central Indiana was founded in 1916 and serves 46 counties in Central Indiana.