There are many flood damaged cars being sold on the market. Usually, flood damaged cars, SUVs and trucks are placed in salvage yards. Some though, are made spick and span and put into the car market and they will be up for sale. But the problem is, there really are no tell tale signs of flood damage that would give them away. This is because the cars will be restored so they would look almost like new. The damages caused by the flood would be erased or covered. After the changes, the cars will then be sold to unsuspecting buyers who thinks they are getting a good bargain.
Fact is flood damaged cars are being moved by unscrupulous merchants. Consumers can and should protect themselves against being taken advantage of in the auto market. Luckily, there are several things consumers can do to protect themselves from buying flood damaged cars.
The best things a consumer can do to be sure if a car is flood damaged or not is to get the history of the vehicle. You can do this by submitting the vehicle identification number (VIN) of a car to a website which provides vehicle history information. What these websites do is search a nationwide database of car information then gathers research on the car’s title, maintenance record, registration, and odometer. You will instantaneously know if the vehicle has been stolen, has had a troubled past, or has had its odometer rolled back through the report that the website will return. Just a little research on a car’s history will reveal if it has been salvaged, flooded, rebuilt, or is basically a “lemon.”
Prospective car buyers should be aware of flood damaged vehicles being sold on the car market. Why shouldn’t you buy flood damaged cars? Well simply because water leaves a lasting damage. Even if the devices and machines requiring electricity will restore it, it will probably fail sooner or later because mold and mildew aren’t’ easy to remove. And when a car is flood damaged any warranty warrant is voided.
Below are several things you can do to check if a car is flood damaged:
Check for moisture and dirt.
Flood damaged cars usually have moisture trapped and dirt inside the lights. Dampness can also be seen inside the compartment with glovesF, console and trunk so you better inspect these spots. Dirt, which can also be a sign of flood damage, can also accumulate under the hood. Moisture can also accumulate under the seat. Of course, rust is another telltale sign of flood damage.
Smell the car
Mildew can be easily detected by smelling. Mildew often forms on soaked fabrics so sharpen your sense of smell when you’re on the lookout for a new vehicle. Also try to detect other smells that could be caused by flood damage like spilled oil or fuel.
Check if components match
Mismatched component could mean that the component are changed hurriedly after the car has been salvaged from a flood. So try to see if the carpet, seats and stereo components looks too new for the car.
Also try to check if the car has been titled several times from different states, which is usually a hint that its owners are trying to erase the questionable and negative history of the car by looking for spots where disclosing defects is not required or is easily evaded. Cars that are titled several times are usually salvaged or totaled.
Test drive
Of course the best way to check the performance of a car is to take it for a test drive. Check the electrical system including all the lights and the sound system.
Ask an expert
Have an expert mechanic or technician check the car. Have a second opinion if you may. Expert mechanics and car technician can detect flood damaged cars easily than ordinary people.
Remember that in buying a vehicle, never ever take a chance. Buying a damaged vehicle can cost you more than your money. It could also bring serious accident even death. If you suspect that someone is selling you a car that has been flood damaged immediately say no then walk away. The dough you will save in buying a flood damaged car will quickly go away by the headache it will bring.
Tags: Auto Market, Car Buyers, Car Information, Car Market, Flood Damage, Flood Damaged Cars, Flood Damaged Vehicles, Good Bargain, History Information, Maintenance Record, Mold And Mildew, Odometer, Prospective Car, Salvage, Salvage Yards, Spick And Span, Title Maintenance, Unsuspecting Buyers, Vehicle History, Vehicle Identification NumberRelated posts
The used car market continues to grow and, as with increased inflation in the form of higher house rentals, school fees and food prices, the demand for good quality used cars is likely to become an increasingly attractive proposition for many people who would have bought brand new vehicles in the past.
If you buy for the first time a used car, you need some tips. You may buy it from a dealer or from a private seller. Dealerships are usually a safer choice because they offer you a guarantee on what they sell. The disadvantage is that a dealer may offer a higher price than a private seller.
A dealer should provide to the seller a buyers guide, which must contain the following information:- The car has a warranty or not- How much of the repair costs the warranty covers- The major systems on the car to look out for- Reminders to have the car inspected by an independent mechanic
It is recommended not to buy a used car as it is, if you dont trust the seller and you dont a CARFAX Report.
Irrespective of the way of purchasing the car, you have to know who the owner was or who the owners were, why the previous owner wants to sell it. Besides, you have to know what was it being used for and if it has been in any accidents. In addition, you have to know what problems it has had in the past and when it got a tune-up for the last time.
You should read a car history report, but most of the times this report is not reliable. You should ask a good mechanic if there is a proof of an accident.
Obviously, you should know the particular model you are interested in. You may give the car an overall inspection yourself, or a person who is familiarized with cars. Check the doors first as they mustnt be flush with the body, and check as well curious patches of paint. If you smell mildew, somewhere inside there is a sign of water damage.
When you close the deal, make sure to get all the promises in writing. Warranty information shouldnt be omitted. If you buy the car from a dealer, dont lose your buyers guide, for future reference.
Remember, your used car wont have the shiny appearance of a brand new one. This can be fixed with paint and restoration, if it is in good running condition. Even a good wax job can return the shine. Dont forget the headlights when you are restoring the exterior finish.
There is a great product called New Lite Headlight Cleaner and Restorer that returns headlights to their original condition. Cloudy headlights are a safety concern, as they wont work as well.
Take the automobile on the roads you typically travel to get a feel for how it will handle under your normal driving conditions.
My last bit of advice is to go to Kelly Blue Book’s website, www.kbb.com to estimate the used car’s value. Happy Car Hunting!
Tags: Accidents, Attractive Proposition, Buyers Guide, Buying A Used Car, Car History Report, Car Market, Car Warranty, Carfax Report, Deale, Food Prices, Independent Mechanic, Inflation, Insider Secrets, Last Time, Mildew, New Vehicles, Private Seller, Quality Used Cars, Reminders, Water Damage