How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Car

How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Car

The Experts at NADAguides.com Offer Tips to Help Used Car Shoppers Avoid Buying a Flood-Damaged Ride

COSTA MESA, Calif., Jan. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Rain, hail, sleet, floods, mudslides ... this winter has definitely been a bear for residents all over the nation. But as the weather begins to break and as we approach the busy season for car sales, shoppers should be on the lookout for used cars that may have sustained flood damage this winter -- damage that can go unnoticed to the untrained eye.

The experts at NADAguides.com, a leading vehicle information website, offer the following tips to help used car shoppers avoid buying a flood- damaged car.

1. Check the vehicle's history.

First thing's first -- be sure to check the car's title history at
NADAguides.com to determine if the vehicle may have sustained
significant water damage in the past. Unless a car was considered
damaged beyond the cost of repair, however, the title will not
indicate flood damage. Nevertheless, it's still a good idea to start
your homework by obtaining a car's history report to be sure the
vehicle wasn't considered a total loss due to excessive water damage.
Vehicle history reports are available at the NADAguides.com Used Car
Center. Consumers can click on the Vehicle History Report tab in the
Resources section for more information.

2. Use your nose.

Your nose is a great tool in determining whether a car has sustained
significant water damage in the past. Virtually every flood-damaged
vehicle will have an unusual musty smell, such as those odors brought
on by mold or mildew. No matter how dry a car might be on the inside
today, use your nose as a guide to alert you to any water damage it
may have sustained in the past.

3. Check for residue.

Look for water and grit inside the car and inside the engine
compartment as signs of a potential submersion. Check under the
dashboard for dried mud or residue and be sure to lift the trunk mats
and check for signs of water, grit, mud or residue of any kind. Be
concerned if you notice excessive dirt, mud or water stains in or
around areas of the vehicle that aren't exposed to the elements. And
don't forget to look for unusual or excessive moisture in the car's
gauges.

4. Check the carpet.

Check for recently shampooed carpet and be sure to inquire about
newly installed carpets or headliners in relatively new vehicles --
for the most part, carpets and headliners should last for many years
without needing repair or replacement.

5. Look for rust.

Look for rust on the inside of the car and under interior carpeting.
Also, check for rust on screws inside the console or other areas of
the car where water simply wouldn't reach had the car not been
submerged and don't forget to check for surface rust under the trunk
mats.



"These inspection suggestions won't detect flood damage in every case," said Mark Perleberg, lead auto expert at NADAguides.com, "but they're a great starting point. We advise shoppers to obtain a vehicle history report, perform their own inspection and if they're still uncertain, have a professional mechanic take a look at the vehicle prior to purchase for added peace of mind."

About NADAguides.com

N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides (NADAguides.com) is the world's largest publisher of vehicle valuations and specification information for new and used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs, as well as van conversions, limousines, classic and collectible cars, boats, RVs, ATVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, personal watercraft and manufactured housing. The company's consumer website, NADAguides.com (www.NADAguides.com), offers a variety of new and used vehicle services in addition to valuation information. Throughout its 72-year history, N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides has earned the reputation as the recognized authority for vehicle valuations. Its website, NADAguides.com, is the most comprehensive vehicle information resource on the Internet today.


Source: NADAguides.com

CONTACT: Jennifer Lange, Director of Public Relations of NADAguides.com,
+1-714-556-8511, ext. 265, jlange@nadaguides.com

Web site: http://www.nadaguides.com/


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