GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – With hurricanes and floodwaters hitting hard this month, the BBB says lookout for water damaged cars for sale.
Scam artists try to pawn off flooded vehicles as standard secondhand cars.
Flood-damaged vehicles will be popping up at auto auctions, used car dealerships and in classified ads.
Unsuspecting consumers, particularly those living in regions of the country unaffected by hurricanes or flooding, are led astray by fresh upholstery, new carpeting, and bargain prices.
“Oftentimes, scammers will try to unload damaged cars, cars that have a salvage title and transfer them to areas of the country that was not affected by floods and try to sell them as perfectly good used cars when they are not.”
Susan Bach of the BBB says after the owners of damaged cars settle with their insurance companies, vehicles are sometimes refurbished and resold, so doing your homework can save some headaches.
Flooded cars are often transported well beyond their original region after major storms to locations where consumers may be less aware of what warning signs to look for. Sometimes, a middleman buyer intentionally hides a car’s history as a flood-damaged vehicle through a process known as “title washing” and sells it to an unsuspecting buyer.
“Have the car inspected by a trusted dealer. You should ask to see the title of the car and make sure that it has not been stamped as salvage or flood-damaged.”
She says you should also do a sight and smell test before you buy.
“Does it smell funny? Is there any sign of water damage? Check the glove compartment and trunk and hood for signs of water damage.”
The BBB has the following tips for car shoppers to determine if a used car is flood-damaged:
Ask to see the title. Check the date and place of transfer to see if the car came from a flood-damaged state and if the title is stamped “salvage.” If you are still suspicious, purchase a vehicle history report of the vehicle, which should tell you if a car has ever been tagged as “salvage” or “flood damaged” in any state. Carefully check the dashboard. Examine all gauges to make sure they are accurate, and there are no signs of water. Look for indications that the dashboard may have been removed. Check the electronic components. 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. Check the interior spaces. Look in the trunk, glove compartment, and beneath the seats and dash for signs of mud, rust or water damage. Check for open drainage holes in the bottom of the vehicle. Check the condition of the fabrics. Look for discolored, faded or mildewed upholstery and carpeting. Recently shampooed carpets may be cause for concern. Carpeting that has been replaced may fit too loosely or may not match the interior color.
Get a vehicle history report from a database service. The National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) free database lists flood damage and other information. But take note: NICB reports are only helpful if the car was insured. If the owner of an uninsured flood-damaged car tries to sell it on the open market and you’re the buyer, you may never know there’s a problem until things like the electrical system go bad.
Remember to check under the hood. Look for standing water, mud or grit in the spare tire wheel well or around the engine compartment under the hood.
Do a smell test. A heavy aroma of cleaners and disinfectants is a sign that someone’s trying to mask a mold or odor problem.Research the dealer. Always check out the BBB Business Profile of the dealer at bbb.org. Get an inspection. Before buying any used car, you should get a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic.
