10 Ways to Spot a Flood-damaged Car

Publish date: 2023-05-06
An antique car is inundated by floodwaters from the Waccamaw River caused by Hurricane Florence on Sept. 26, 2018, in Bucksport, South Carolina. Nearly two weeks after making landfall in North Carolina, river flooding continued, damaging scores of cars, businesses and homes in the process. Sean Rayford/Getty Images

Floods have drenched much of the United States in recent years, with high water levels that ruined homes and businesses and dealt devastating losses to their owners. A less-publicized casualty of these natural disasters is the number of flood-damaged cars left behind, such as the estimated 500,000 cars that were damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, or the estimated million that were damaged by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in 2017 [sources: Insurance Information Institute, Donnelly].

When subjected to deep flood levels, soaked cars are often classified as totaled and are demolished. Some flooded automobiles, though, end up on used car lots. In fact, about half of the cars damaged in Hurricane Harvey were expected to get resold [source: Donnelly].

Buyers beware: Not all dealers are up front when a car has flood damage, and it can cost you. Even if a car looks good and seems to run fine, expensive problems can appear later as corrosion continues to creep inside critical components. Flood-damaged cars can also cost more than money: These automobiles can be dangerous to drive, and the results may even be fatal.

Unfortunately, flood-damaged vehicles can be hard to spot, but knowing the signs can help. Here are 10 ways to determine if a used car is a clean machine or a juicy lemon.

Contents
  • Be a Smart Shopper
  • The Sniff Test
  • Feel Your Way Around
  • Spot Corrosion Clues
  • Faulty Fabrics
  • Take a Test-drive
  • Check the Oil
  • Soggy Signs
  • Dirty Details
  • Rely on Expert Eyes

    • 10: Be a Smart Shopper

    Yep, it seems safe to say these cars may have been damaged by floods. Pachanatt Ounpitipong/Getty Images

    A good place to start when buying a used car is to talk to a reputable dealer. Long-time dealerships with good histories won't risk their reps by ripping off their customers. With any dealer, ask if the car you're eyeing has been damaged by floods, and get the answer in writing. Anything less than a firm "no" or any hesitation to commit to that answer in writing are causes for concern.

    Ask the dealer to let you look at the title, too. You can see if the car came from a flood-damaged region, and you can check for a stamp that reads "Flood" or "Salvage," required by law in some states.

    Finally, beware of used cars with price tags far below market value without explanation. There's usually a reason.

    VIN Check

    You can learn the history of a used car several ways, including contacting the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). You can check the vehicle identification number (VIN) — usually located at the bottom of the windshield on the driver's side — against the NICB's database to see if the car was ever declared a salvaged vehicle, meaning the car was once considered too damaged to be worth repairing.

    9: The Sniff Test

    Is that fresh pine scent just covering up a not-so-fresh scent? NoDerog/iStock/Getty Images

    The quickest way to sniff out whether or not a car has flood damage is to literally sniff it. It's very difficult to completely rid a flood-damaged car of its moldy aroma, and mildew formation is a sure sign that the car was exposed to significant amounts of water. This unpleasant smell is a helpful clue for prospective buyers.

    If you smell the mold right away, you're probably looking at a flood-damaged car. If you aren't quite sure, however, close the windows and doors, sit inside, and give it a good long sniff.

    In addition, you may appreciate the pleasant scent of an air freshener, but be warned that strong air fresheners may be a sign that the dealer is covering up a less agreeable odor.

    8: Feel Your Way Around

    Keep an eye out for rust when you're looking at flood-damaged cars. Marianne Purdie/Moment/Getty Images

    Along with your sense of smell, your sense of touch is important to sensing moisture in a used car. Water from flooding tends to collect in locations even the dealer may miss.

    Run your hands along the carpet and pat it in different spots to try to locate moisture. If you're able, peel back the carpet to see if you can feel moisture between the carpet and the car body. You may also see other signs of water damage, such as rust, by looking under the carpet.

    Be sure to open the trunk and feel around the carpet there, as well. Then take out the spare tire and feel the material underneath. This is a location where water tends to collect, and it can be missed during even the most thorough of preparations for the lot.

    Quick Tip

    Pull the seatbelts all the way out to see if there is discoloration from water stains farther down on the straps.

    7: Spot Corrosion Clues

    The rust on this car is hard to miss. Brandon Goldman/Moment/Getty Images

    Corrosion is a common affliction in flood-damaged cars. The damage you see today isn't the only ramification of rust: Corrosion continues to eat away at materials long after the car is dry.

    Rust and corrosion are often visible. Look for signs of corrosion on metals both inside and out. If you see rust on screws, door hinges, hood springs, trunk latches or brackets under the dashboard, for example, you know those metals had significant contact with water.

    To check even more thoroughly, open the doors and look at where the door meets the body. Corrosion often occurs in that corner. In fact, check all four doors, including the bottoms, inside and out.

    Finally, use a mirror and look below the seats to see if the springs are rusty. Use the mirror again to check the undercarriage of the car for flakes, metal that's been eaten away and other signs of corrosion.

    Recognize Rust

    Look closely at the exterior paint near rubber or chrome. If you see bubbles, become suspicious. Bubbles are a sign that there's unsightly rust under the pretty paint job.

    6: Faulty Fabrics

    Look out for splotchy water damage on the interior of the car. David Henderson/OJO Images/Getty Images

    The upholstery that covers a car's interior can uncover a flood cover-up, too, with close inspection. Take a careful look at all the upholstery — front, back and under the seats — to spot blotchy, brown water stains.

    Another clue is the quality of the carpet. If the car is 10 years old but the carpet looks new, be suspicious. Likewise, if the upholstery doesn't appear to match, with sections that are a different color, faded, newer or with patterns that don't line up, then someone may have removed water-stained patches. Loose carpet, too, requires further scrutiny.

    Don't forget to compare the floor carpet to the upholstery on the doors and the roof to be sure they all appear to be the same age and color.

    5: Take a Test-drive

    You're going to want to test-drive any car that you're thinking about purchasing, flood-damaged or not. REB Images/Blend Images/Getty Images

    A compromised electrical system is a critical and potentially life-threatening hazard inherent in cars exposed to high waters for extended periods of time. You'll want to test the car extensively to ensure all electrical components are operational. The infotainment systems in newer cars are particularly prone to acting up when they’re exposed to water, much like a smartphone, since they use similar technology [source: Donnelly].

    First, poke your head under the dash and gently bend the electrical wires to see if they're brittle. If they are, you've likely detected water damage. Water damage to the rest of the electrical system is harder to view, however, so you'll need to take the car on a test-drive and try out all the electronics.

    When you turn the ignition, listen for unexpected sounds, and use your eyes and nose to see if smoke appears anywhere. Be sure all the dashboard lights come on, including the back lighting, and check headlights, turn signals and emergency blinkers.

    Turn on the air conditioning, wipers and cigarette lighter to be sure they work as expected. And don't forget to listen to the radio: Static-plagued or distorted audio, or no audio at all, could be the result of water damage.

    Too Good to Be true?

    Do the stereo components look too new for the age of the car? Water damage ruins stereo sound, so a new stereo system without a good explanation may be a sign that the car has been flooded.

    4: Check the Oil

    Flooding's going to affect the color and the viscosity of the oil, too. Guido Mieth/Digital Vision/Getty Images

    Changes in the color and viscosity may indicate that water has gotten into the engine's oil. If you're accustomed to checking your own oil level and quality, you may be able to spot a flood-damaged vehicle by performing an oil check.

    Oil in a flood-affected auto will be a different color, sometimes compared to coffee with milk or a chocolate milkshake. The oil may be pale when it should be dark. Oil that's been affected by flooding may also feel sticky to the touch.

    While you're under the hood, check the paper air filter, too. If it has water stains, that's another clue that water has seeped in where it shouldn't have.

    3: Soggy Signs

    A car's headlights and taillights may accumulate water if it has been in a flood. Josie A. Bernat Bacete/Moment/Getty Images

    There are some areas of a car that won't dry no matter how hard someone tries to cover up flood damage. Look closely at all lamps. Headlights and taillights may appear foggy when water has accumulated inside.

    The same can be true of the instrument panel, and interior and exterior mirrors. If they appear foggy, they, too, may have moisture that hasn't evaporated.

    Water also tends to pool in the overhang inside the wheel well, so check for signs of dampness, corrosion or tell-tale water lines. Examine the doors and trunk for any water lines as well; they indicate how high the water level may have been when the car was flooded.

    2: Dirty Details

    It's actually the inside of the car that'll retain the dirt and debris from flooding, particularly in nooks and crannies like the engine crevices. ©fitopardo.com/Moment Open/Getty Images

    While a car is sitting (or floating) in a flood, the water carries in all manner of debris, such as grass, dirt, sand and silt. When the water level recedes, the water itself may be gone, but much of the debris remains. It's difficult for someone cleaning a car to remove all of it.

    When examining a used car, you'll want to look in the places where mud and grass may remain after a flood. These include the following areas:

    If you do find debris in these areas, the car may have been sitting in water for a while.

    1: Rely on Expert Eyes

    Of course you'll want a mechanic to check it out, too. ljubaphoto/E+/Getty Images

    Even a used car is an investment, and you don't want to buy a damaged car that will cost you tons of money in the long run. If after your own inspection you still aren't sure the car is completely dry, hire an expert.

    A good mechanic will know where to look for signs of flood damage. That's especially true of places you may not know how to examine, such as the alternator, certain wiring mechanisms and pumps.

    The mechanic should also take the wheels off and inspect the brakes and wheel components, which can carry tell-tale remnants of a flood history, such as silt and mud.

    For more great information, check out the links on the next page.

    Originally Published: Jun 14, 2011

    Flood Damaged Car FAQ

    Is a flood damaged car repairable?
    An experienced mechanic can usually repair a flood damaged car. However, you definitely don't want to try to tackle the repairs yourself; they can require some in-depth knowledge of vehicles and their many parts.
    Are flood damaged cars worth buying?
    Flood damaged cars can be worth their low prices in certain situations. For example, if you urgently need a car that'll get you to and from local destinations until you can afford something better, it might be a good buy. If you're planning to completely repair or rebuild the car, it can also be a worthwhile purchase.
    How can you tell if a car has flood damage?
    There are a number of details and signs that can tell you a car's been in a flood. Look for things like a musty interior odor, loose carpeting (or carpeting that doesn't match), rust around the doors or inside the hood and trunk, and fog in the interior lights or instrument panel.
    How much does it cost to fix a flood damaged car?
    The cost will depend on just how much damage was caused by the flood. Extensive damage can run you thousands of dollars in repair or rebuilding costs.
    Does flood damage ruin a car?
    Flood damage can destroy a vehicle. Flood water can ruin the electrical system and its components, and it can cause mold to grow in the carpet, seats, and other nooks and crannies of a car.

    Lots More Information

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