Floods occur daily and if we are not attentive, we may become victims of floods even after the event has gone. We are discussing purchasing an automobile that has previously been subjected to water damage because most flood-damaged automobiles cannot be sold without disclosing.
This article looks at how to check a vehicle for flood damage and signs of a flood-damaged vehicle.
How to check a vehicle for flood damage:
First, check for old water marks inside the car, typically visible in the dome light and other lights. If you open the glove box, trunk, or console and see any dampness or watermark, your car has been flooded. If there is gritty sand on the surface, there is flood damage. Rust may be detected on any metal component of the car, especially under the hood. You can determine whether a vehicle is “fresh” by looking for moisture beneath the seats.
The second issue is odor, mainly if you are accustomed to the “new vehicle smell.” A smell of mildew, sourness and dirt is a warning indication.
Mold may develop on a car that has been in flood water.
When water damage occurs, interior components like floor mats must be replaced. Warn of fresh or too new flooring, new carpeting or carpeting that looks out of place with the rest of the carpeting in the vehicle you are looking to purchase. Please inquire about the mismatch and new carpeting, since water damage may have caused them.
Signs to look for when checking a vehicle for flood damage:
One of the numerous dangers of purchasing a used vehicle is that you have no way of knowing what happened to it. Sellers have a slew of materials and strategies at their disposal to dress up a secondhand vehicle, even if it has suffered significant damage. Automobiles that have been flooded fall into this group.
If you’re thinking about purchasing a used vehicle, be sure you understand how to identify water damage caused by floods.
Familiarise Yourself With Rust:
- If you see bubbles near rubber or chrome on the outside of the paint, then the paint is likely rusted and must be sanded and repainted.
- Examine the screws, hinges, trunk latches, and bracket mounts beneath the dashboard for signs of corrosion.
- Verify below the seats for rusty springs by using a mirror.
Carpeting:
- Look for carpeting that has become discolored.
- By examining beneath the carpet, you may also be able to detect additional indications of water damage, such as rust.
- Check the carpet in the trunk by opening it.
- Remove the spare tire and examine the material underneath it.
- Check that the carpet on the floor matches the upholstery on the doors and the roof to ensure that they are all the same age and color as one another.
Moldy Odors:
- Odors of mildew in the automobile indicate that the vehicle has been exposed to water.
- Please keep in mind that a powerful air freshener or cleaning solution smell may be able to disguise the mildew stench.
- Check the vents of the air conditioner to check if there is a moldy odor coming from them.
Faulty Fabrics:
- Look for blotchy, brown water spots on the upholstery throughout the vehicle, including the front, rear and beneath the seats.
- If the vehicle is ten years old yet the upholstery seems to be brand new, be cautious.
- Take note of any different colors, faded, newer or have patterns that do not line up with others in the same section.
- A large stain or a variation in color between the bottom and top upholstery portions may indicate that the car has been subjected to flood water.
Dirt buildup:
- The region surrounding the seat tracks or the top carpeting beneath the glove box is a dirt buildup.
- Have a qualified technician check the vehicle for caked mud or grit in the alternator crevices, behind wire harnesses and around the tiny recesses of starting motors, power steering pumps, and relays, among other places.
In addition to flood damage and other information, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) maintains a free database that allows you to look into a vehicle’s history by its vehicle identification number (VIN). If you believe a local car dealer is committing fraud by intentionally selling a flood car or a salvaged vehicle as a good condition used automobile, then you may want to contact your local law enforcement agency or the National Insurance Crime Bureau.