If you are considering buying a used vehicle, it is most wise to get a lot of background information prior to your purchase. Time and money invested up front for a thorough job of research can save you scads of trouble and aggravation down the road. A bit of research can go a long way. If you have a trusted mechanic or repair technician that you always utilize on a regular basis for regular maintenance checks of your vehicles, request a thorough and comprehensive inspection on your new automotive find. Thus you can guarantee to some point that the specific car wasn't previously damaged by a flood of flooding.
Check if the carpet and upholstery match. If not, it may be an indication that it was replaced recently. Another sign is if the fit is not secure or if it's a bit loose. Materials that are stained, discolored or faded may be due to the reason that the car was once immersed in water for a long time. Coastal areas are known for being badly affected by tropical storms and hurricanes. However, there are other ways for a car to become ruined due to flooding. Thunderstorms and heavy rains cause some rivers to swell. When this happens, cars in nearby areas become prone to water damage. Don't assume that the sales of these destroyed vehicles are limited only in their respective localities. With a bit of cosmetic repair, these vehicles can be moved to as far as Canada. It just takes a bit of luck and patience to find an unsuspecting buyer. It must be restated that auto industry analysts disapprove of purchasing vehicles that have endured water damage. These are only some of the few situations that can cause great damage and damages to cars, trucks Sport Utility and other vehicles.
Analysts from the auto industry have given out a warning to buyers. Do not think that only areas that have been affected by floods are the ones that have flood-damaged vehicles in their local markets. This isn't the case. Across the country, these vehicles receive cosmetic touch-ups and repairs. Yet it is as easy as a 1,2,3 search online for a car report online. Simply Google "auto research reports","check out vehicle online" or "automobile reports online ", or alternatively Google "How to buy a used vehicle". There are no shortage of tips and services. Even ebay allows for a good service , at inexpensive costs to check out and verify any vehicle that catches your fancy. As a first step there should be a big check mark next to the column "checked for flood damage" . If you see no check mark or a big red mark - then beware. eBay as well offers the services of recommended automotive inspection services on site. Lastly you can check with your local AAA auto club as to services to either check the VIN or provide on site mechanical and auto body inspections for a fee. As a precaution, do not pay the seller until the car has been examined by a qualified auto repair facility.
Following are some basic as well as fairly simple checks that you can also do on your own. Rust is a telltale sign of water damage. It is the enclosed areas that often water has sat for extended time periods and left its mark.Take out the spare tire in the trunk and look for more than normally apparent rust residue on the trunk metal underside of the donut tire temporary spare. Open up or peer into to some of the less conventional pockets or storage areas. For example the toll pass change holder, an open and closing coffee holder canister area, map compartments or a large console on trucks between the seats. Enclosed water - dirty flood waters - may of been left in these areas for and extended period of time , evaporating and leaving residue of dirt and grime as well as discoloring the sides or bottom of the enclosed compartment or compartments. Even if the auto detailer and cleaner is thorough in their cleaning process and steam cleaning , they may either forget or forgo these areas as "no-one will look there" . Alternatively it may be just too much work to paint these areas without leaving tell tale paint on the fabric or take a risk of solvent damaging the plastic surface or factory finish. Leave well enough alone can be the adage that leaves vital tips to you or your inspection technician. The flooring under the seats must be inspected for water damage as well. This could be in the form of rust, mud or even, silt. It is both amazing how carefully vehicles from a major flood , tsunami or hurricane can be carefully and meticulously "restored" to almost new condition. Vehicles written off by auto insurance companies that fish would not swim in once finished , detailed and polished up appear as premium low mileage vehicles in better than new car showroom condition. Also be wary that a number of salvaged cars may be combined into one single solitary vehicle. The world knows no end to this chicanery. A non flood damaged salvage vehicle may be purchased say in the midwest or Alaska , its VIN number magically applied to a close to identical model of a flooded vehicle auto insurance write off. Stained, faded or discolored materials might have been ruined as a result of water damage. When these have been replaced, check if they match interior of the vehicle. If the fit is a bit loose, chances are, it is due to replacement.
Sources of light can give you clues. Some vehicles have gauges on the dash board. Others have warning or "idiot" lights. Regardless of the type of dash instruments water plays big havoc with wiring and circuit boards in a vehicle , or even a boat. The lights and gauges should light up and reset themselves when you start up the vehicle. Its a self test feature. If the lights do not light up , come on or remain lit and on after an extended period be suspicious. Don't take any coy answers to explain away and suspicions. Remember all in all you have the right and rights as a buyer to walk off the lot or garage and away from the deal. Don't be high pressured into anything experienced auto analyst Edmonton based M Labovitch notes. Moe Brown sure learned his lesson. These must also be in working condition. Its amazing how these cars from as far back as Hurricane Katrina pop up , out of nowhere and from the strangest places. A Katrina storm damaged vehicle may also of the sudden appear as a great deal at a dealer in Grand Forks North Dakota . It is not as if you expect a flood damaged vehicle in Grand Forks , Fargo or the Mohave Desert so purchasers out looking for a good deal on a quality pre-owned vehicle are taken unawares. If the car is at a dealership on it's used car lot - even the experienced staff at the garage and body shop divisions may be caught off guard on this as well. The restoration of this salvage vehicle may that good. After all a highly trained auto detail restoration tradesman is not unlike an artist. Also airbag lights should be observed as well. Test all lights found in the interior and exterior of the vehicle. When you turn the ignition key, notice if the warning and accessory lights come on or not. Check if these are working properly. Another set of lights that must come on are the ABS and airbag lights. Interior and exterior lights must all be tested. These include: turn/ signal lights, heater, radio, cigarette lighter and air conditioner. Test them several times to ensure that there aren't any problems with them. Don't forget to test the windshield wipers as well: signal lights, windshield wipers, air conditioner, cigarette lighter, radio and heater.
Try to bend some of the wires locate under the dashboard. After the wet wires have dried up thoroughly, often they tend to be weaker and more brittle. Before you decide to hand over the payment to a seller, get the car inspected first by an approved auto repair facility. There are also some ways which can help you check for water damage. Observe certain parts like the dashboard, glove compartment and trunk for any indication of water damage in the form of mud, silt and rust. Check for the presence of these beneath the flooring positioned under the seats. Try to bend some of the wires that are found underneath the dashboard. When wires dry up after being immersed in water, they become more brittle. Upon flexing these wires, they may crack as a result of water damage. The smell of mildew or any musty odor in the vehicle is a giveaway sign. A musty odor is evidence of this as well.
Request for a history report from the seller but if he or she refuses to give you one, use the car's identification number instead. This is the 17-digit VIN or vehicle identification number which is located on the dashboard. Take note of it and verify the vehicle's history on your own. Through the CARFAX reports, hidden problems that the car previously had can be revealed.
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