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Literally thousands of cars are submerged each fall during floods.
This year there will certainly be an excess of flooded cars on the market.
During post-flood cleanups, auto insurance claims adjusters "total"
thousands of flood-damaged vehicles—meaning the vehicles are considered a
total loss.
Unfortunately, that doesn't stop unscrupulous sellers from putting these
cars back up for sale. In many instances, these mechanically unsound and
frame-damaged vehicles undergo minor repairs and are resold with no notice
to the buyer.
- Check the interior—Examine the trunk, glove compartment,
dashboard and beneath the seats for signs of mud, rust or silt. Look for
discolored, faded or stained upholstery and carpeting. If the carpeting
doesn't match the interior or fits loosely, it may have been replaced.
- Turn on—Start the ignition key to make sure all warning lights
including the airbag and ABS lights work. Check all gauges on the
dashboard to make sure they are accurate.
- Equipment test—Test the lights, windshield wipers, turn
signals, cigarette lighter, radio, heater and air conditioner several
times to make sure they work. Also, flex some wires under the dash to see
if they bend or crack, since wet wires become brittle upon drying and can
crack or fail at any time.
- Take a whiff—Smell for musty odors resulting from mildew and
look for a well-defined line or watermark.
- Visit—Go to a trusted mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection.
Always get vehicles checked BEFORE handing over any money.
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