It's almost time for the beginning of the year vehicle buying frenzy. Don't fall victim to fraud by buying a vehicle that was submerged during the previous storm season. These are the ways you can spot a vehicle that has been submerged.
1. Straight-line stains
•Stains that appear in straight lines did not get there because of a beverage spill. The spill of a beverage would not be as neat as the lines created from a vehicle submerged in water. If the stain is straight, there is a good chance of flood damage.
2. Gritty sounding seatbelts
•If you hear grinding or feel
seatbelts sticking, there may be sand or mud stuck in them. The car was likely flooded somehow, so it makes it hard to pull the seat belt and fasten it. Make sure to check these before buying a used car.
3. Musty smells
•Does the car have a musty smell? A musty smell is the result of moisture being trapped in the vehicle and the smell can be tricky to remove completely. One trick is to turn the air vents on to see what smells come from within the ventilation system.
4. Smells too good
•If the interior of the car you are looking at smells too good, there may be a chance that someone is trying to cover something up. An over abundance of perfumes or air freshener smells can simply be a bandage on a stronger smelling problem that will come to light all too soon.
5. Rusty seat rails
•Make sure to slide the seats of the car back to check for rust on the rails. Rust on the rail will form when submerged in water for an extended period of time, and should not appear on a newer model car.
6. Carpet board warped
•Check the carpet board in the trunk for warping. Warping is a sign of water damage that is hard to explain in any other way.
7. Discolored oil
•The oil can also provide evidence of water damage. Check for changes in the color and the viscosity of the oil. Oil that has been affected by flooding will look and feel different than regular oil.
8. Priced well below market value
•Market prices are there for a reason. The old adage that "If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is" is especially true with used cars. A discounted price is a sign that the seller is trying to move the car quickly, so buyer beware!
9. Check the car fax
•Even if the seller has done an expert job of concealing damage from water, the vehicle data report should be able to list any accidents or natural disasters that the vehicle was involved in which will make the buyers job a little bit easier.
1. Straight-line stains
•Stains that appear in straight lines did not get there because of a beverage spill. The spill of a beverage would not be as neat as the lines created from a vehicle submerged in water. If the stain is straight, there is a good chance of flood damage.
2. Gritty sounding seatbelts
•If you hear grinding or feel
seatbelts sticking, there may be sand or mud stuck in them. The car was likely flooded somehow, so it makes it hard to pull the seat belt and fasten it. Make sure to check these before buying a used car.
3. Musty smells
•Does the car have a musty smell? A musty smell is the result of moisture being trapped in the vehicle and the smell can be tricky to remove completely. One trick is to turn the air vents on to see what smells come from within the ventilation system.
4. Smells too good
•If the interior of the car you are looking at smells too good, there may be a chance that someone is trying to cover something up. An over abundance of perfumes or air freshener smells can simply be a bandage on a stronger smelling problem that will come to light all too soon.
5. Rusty seat rails
•Make sure to slide the seats of the car back to check for rust on the rails. Rust on the rail will form when submerged in water for an extended period of time, and should not appear on a newer model car.
6. Carpet board warped
•Check the carpet board in the trunk for warping. Warping is a sign of water damage that is hard to explain in any other way.
7. Discolored oil
•The oil can also provide evidence of water damage. Check for changes in the color and the viscosity of the oil. Oil that has been affected by flooding will look and feel different than regular oil.
8. Priced well below market value
•Market prices are there for a reason. The old adage that "If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is" is especially true with used cars. A discounted price is a sign that the seller is trying to move the car quickly, so buyer beware!
9. Check the car fax
•Even if the seller has done an expert job of concealing damage from water, the vehicle data report should be able to list any accidents or natural disasters that the vehicle was involved in which will make the buyers job a little bit easier.