As of this writing, tropical storm Helene is strengthening into what could become the strongest hurricane to hit the U.S. this season as it bears down on the Gulf Coast, with evacuations from the Florida panhandle already beginning.
Though we’re only at the mid-point of what has become an active hurricane season, already tens of thousands of vehicles are estimated to have suffered serious water damage at the hands of Mother Nature. And has been the case in the past hurricane seasons we can expect a wave of flooded used cars to unscrupulously find their way back into the marketplace in the weeks and months ahead, often many miles removed from the affected areas.
According to the title search company Carfax, as many as 89,000 vehicles from Texas to Vermont have been flooded out by tropical storms and hurricanes that hit the U.S. between June and August. And that’s in addition to an estimated 454,000 rides that remain on the road with hidden water damage incurred during previous storm seasons.
“We see these flooded cars show up all around the country, putting unsuspecting buyers at risk,” says Carfax’s general manager for data, Faisal Hasan. “These cars may look showroom fresh, but they’re literally rotting from the inside out.”
Carfax reports that the most water-damaged rides can be found in Texas, where an estimated 64,000 of them are still in operation, followed by Florida (62,700), Kentucky (30,200), Pennsylvania (21,800) and California (20,000).
Waterlogged cars and trucks are legally bound to have their titles labeled as being salvaged. They’re typically sold at auction to auto graveyards and vehicle rebuilders for whatever components can still be repurposed. Unfortunately, many wind up being reconditioned to some degree and sold to unsuspecting consumers.
Some flood-damaged will carry titles that are clearly marked as having been “rebuilt,” while others will be sold with illegally altered documentation. And still more that were either not insured or weren’t damaged enough to be declared as total wrecks will be spiffed up and offered for sale on the pre-owned market with otherwise clear titles.
Even if a dealer or seller is upfront about selling a model that’s been flood-damaged and reconditioned and is offering it at an affordable price, it’s never a good deal to buy a car that’s been waterlogged.
In addition to the obvious damage done to upholstery and carpeting, floodwater is a corrosive and abrasive mixture of water and dirt (and often ocean salt) that works its way virtually everywhere within a vehicle. It can particularly hard on electronics, lubricants, and mechanical systems. A thorough cleaning and reconditioning would be both extensive and expensive and would probably not be worth the money and/or effort. A water-damaged car will also often suffer premature failures of the mechanical, electrical, and safety systems.
How can you tell if a given pre-owned model being sold has sustained water damage? Experts agree that first line of defense is to have it thoroughly inspected by a trusted mechanic. It’s also prudent to run a model’s vehicle identification number through a title-search service to determine if it’s been reported as being flooded or salvaged. For its part, Carfax offers free flood damage checks for consumers.
Otherwise, used-vehicle shoppers should expect to give any model under consideration a good once-over of their own. Start by examining the vehicle’s interior and engine compartment for evidence of water and grit. Look for recently shampooed or replaced carpeting or freshly cleaned upholstery that may have been performed subsequent to flooding. Pull up a corner of the carpeting (both in the passenger compartment and trunk), to see if there’s water residue or stain marks, signs of rust, and evidence of mold or a musty odor.
Check for any water that’s still hiding in the dashboard and interior storage cubbies. Look under the dashboard for brittle wiring and evidence of dried mud and other deposits. Look for rust on screws in the center console or other areas that might have been submerged.
Next, open the hood and look for mud or residue in crevices, behind wiring harnesses and around small recesses in and around components. Check electrical wiring and relays in the engine compartment and under the dashboard for rusted components, corrosion or water residue.
Move on to the car’s exterior and look for water or signs of condensation in the headlamps and taillights, on the instrument panel gauges, and even within the overhead dome light. Check the wheel wells, around door, hood and trunk panels for evidence of rust. Look for bubbling in the paint finish, which can indicate underlying rust.
Also test the interior and exterior lights, air conditioning, windshield wipers, radio, turn signals and heater to ensure they’re all in good working order. Turn on the ignition, check to see that all of the instrument panel lights illuminate, and give the car or truck a good test drive. Pay attention to smoke, odd smells, or vibrations.
Finally, if some degree of water damage is suspected, it’s best to walk away from the transaction. Though a water-damaged vehicle may look good and start up just fine, it could take weeks or even months for some flood-caused problems to surface. What seems to be a good deal now could require unexpected and extensive repairs later.