How To Spot Flood-Damaged Vehicles

February 16, 2006

Feb 15, 2006, 03:26 PM EST

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services offers

these helpful pointers on avoiding purchasing flood-damaged vehicles:

-When shopping for a car, use your senses to check for evidence of

flood damage. Finding rust or fresh paint, seeign or feeling mud,

grit or mold and smelling mildew or strong air fresheners may be

important tip-offs that a car has been water damaged. Some specific

clues to look for:

SEAT BELTS - Pull them out all the way to check for moisture, rust

and mildew hidden deep inside.

SPARE TIRE WELL - You may find rust or silt here because it is often

overlooked in the refurbishing process.

SEAT SPRINGS - It is difficult to clean these of rust.

DOOR SPEAKERS - They often will not work if water damaged.

UNDERCARRIAGE - Check for excessive rust or metal flaking you would

not expect to find with a newer vehicle.

CREVICES AND CRANNIES - Check for silt, debris or muddy residue

lodged around alternator crevices, wiring harnesses and the small

recesses of starter motors, power steering pumps and relays.

UPHOLSTERY - The musty smell of mildew is hard to remove entirely.

CARPETING - Buyers should pull up mats to see if rust has bled

through.

TRUNK - Examine it closely for seams and welds that might show rust

in crevices.

FRESH PAINT - Look for it in unusual places where it may have been

used to cover rust.

FLOOR MATS - If they do not match the interior, it may mean they had

to be replaced due to water damage

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