Used-Car Buyers Beware: Expect A Flood Of Storm-Damaged Vehicles Returning To The Roads

Storms continue to ravage parts of the U.S. after an especially damaging last several months, with record amounts of rainfall recorded. The west coast in particular has been hammered by multiple “atmospheric rivers” of precipitation, with unprecedented flooding that virtually ended extensive droughts in California, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

And it’s not over yet. NOAA cautions that approximately 44% of the U.S. is at risk for flooding this spring due to ongoing downpours and California’s now-massive snowpack on the verge of melting and sending trillions of gallons of water to ground level.

On top of the tragic loss of homes and lives, the nation’s water woes has (and will likely continue) to adversely affect thousands of vehicles – ranging from daily drivers to exotic sports cars – with deluge-damaged and/or mud-encrusted cars expected to find their way back onto the road or put up for sale in the months ahead.

As it is, an estimated 399,000 flood-damaged cars with flood damage resulting from the wave of hurricanes that battered southern and eastern states during 2022 continue to be driven, either by their original owners or unsuspecting subsequent purchasers.

In addition to the obvious damage done to a vehicle’s upholstery and carpeting, floodwater is a corrosive and abrasive mixture of water and dirt (and sometimes salt) that works its way virtually everywhere within a vehicle. It can particularly hard on electronics, lubricants, mechanical parts, and even safety systems like airbags and antilock brakes, with failures down the road almost a certainty. What’s more, hidden buildups of mold and mildew can wreak havoc with allergies and even trigger asthma attacks.

As if that’s not enough, a few electric cars have reportedly short-circuited, subsequently catching fire after being submerged in water for extended periods.

A thorough cleaning and reconditioning is not usually worth the money and/or effort, with flood-ravaged vehicles most often being declared a total loss by insurance companies.

Flooded cars and trucks are legally bound to have their titles labeled as being salvaged. They’re typically sold to auto graveyards and vehicle rebuilders for whatever components can still be repurposed. However, some flood-damaged vehicles will carry titles marked as being “rebuilt,” while others will receive illegally altered documentation. And still more that were either not insured or weren’t damaged enough to be declared totaled will be cleaned up and offered for sale.

Those in the market for a used car, truck, or SUV should have a trusted mechanic take a look at any model under consideration, both to assess its mechanical condition and to determine if it’s been flooded. It’s also prudent to have a title check performed to ensure the vehicle hasn’t been declared a wreck or salvaged. Otherwise it’s essential to use one’s eyes and nose to detect whether a given vehicle has sustained water damage:

• Examine the vehicle’s interior and engine compartment for evidence of water and grit. Look for rust on screws in the center console or other areas that might have been submerged.

• Open the hood and look for mud or residue in crevices, behind wiring harnesses and in and around components.

• Check electrical wiring and relays in the engine compartment and under the dashboard for corrosion or water deposits.

• Pull up a corner of the carpeting (both in the passenger compartment and trunk), to see if there’s water or stain marks, signs of rust, and evidence of mold or a musty odor.

• Check to see if there’s water still hiding in the dashboard and interior storage cubbies.

• Check under the dashboard for brittle wiring and evidence of dried mud and other deposits.

• Look for moisture or 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, and look for bubbling in the paint finish.

• Start the vehicle and pay attention to smoke, odd smells, or vibrations, and to make sure everything is in good working order.

If some degree of water damage is suspected, experts say it’s best to walk away from the deal no matter how attractive the price may be. Though it may look good, command a reasonable price, and start right up, a flooded car could wind up costing an unsuspecting owner big money to have unexpected, not to mention extensive repairs performed in the miles ahead.

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