Recognizing flood-damaged vehicles

Recognizing flood-damaged vehicles

In the awful wake of Hurricane Sandy and Frankenstorm, dealers should be on the lookout for flood-damaged vehicles that are not title branded as flood vehicles. Standards for title branding differ by state, and importing a vehicle across state lines can make the title brand disappear.

People who try to resell these cars purchased from insurance auctions may have done a very good job of cleaning the vehicle and know how to remove a flood brand from the title, NADAs Bailey Wood told MSN Autos. No reputable dealer wants to sell a flood-damaged vehicle, because its likely to have problems in the future.

Signs that might indicate a vehicle is flood-damaged (from the Pennsylvania Automotive Association):

Water and grit in the interior and in the engine compartment.

Dried mud or residue under the dashboard; mold or a musty smell in the upholstery, carpet or trunk.

Mud or grit in alternator crevices, behind wiring harnesses and around the small recesses of starter motors, power steering pumps and relays.

Rust and flaking metal in the undercarriage or other components.