Buying a used car in America is tough, with prices rising, inventory thinning and dodgy dealers seemingly out to get you at every turn. The process of shopping for a used bargain may be about to get a whole lot more treacherous, however, as thousands of cars damaged in this year’s record hurricane season may be about to flood the market.
Storm season this year brought hurricanes Milton and Helene barrelling through the U.S. When the two storms made landfall, they wrought havoc on communities and even hit a significant piece of the auto industry.
While causing thousands of dollars worth of damage to communities and properties, the two storms are estimated to have left as many as 347,000 cars flood damaged, claim the vehicle data analysts over at Carfax. Now, some of those cars could be set to turn up on the second-hand market.
Carfax estimates that around 120,000 cars were damaged by Milton in Florida, up to 138,000 cars could have been flooded by storm Helene and an additional 89,000 cars were damaged by smaller storms over the summer. Now, Autoblog reports that buyers have been urged to remain vigilant and watch out for signs of flood damage while shopping for a new car:
While some sellers are transparent about the car’s history, others may attempt to hide the damage. Buyers should be cautious — especially in markets where flood-damaged cars are popping up more — as they can have serious hidden issues that may not be immediately apparent.
Flood damage can wreak havoc on vehicles, especially on modern cars equipped with complex electronics. The immediate concern is the water affecting mechanical components such as the engine, transmission, and brakes. However, the long-term issues tend to be electrical, with problems cropping up in everything from the car’s computer systems to its wiring harness. Even worse, the damage may not show up until weeks or months after purchase.
In order to check that a car you’re considering buying hasn’t been caught up in a flood, Carfax has released a list of key things to check when you’re looking around a used car.
Big things to watch out for include damp carpets, mud or silt under the seats and any fog or moisture that you can see on interior lights and instrument panels. Another good giveaway of a flooded car could be an intense air freshener that’s being used to mask damp or unpleasant smells, loose, stained or even mismatched upholstery. Finally, watch out for rust around the doors, dash and pedals.
If you spot any of those signs, it’s best to check the car’s Carfax history and use the site’s Flood Checker tool. You could even get a mechanic you trust to inspect the car before you hand over any cash.
