How do you tell if a car's been flooded?

Question

I heard that you can "clean" titles in some states and there are a lot of flooded car that are being retitled in other states and resold. So how do I know if a car title hasn't been "cleaned". Would it show on carfax? Can a mechanic look at it and tell pretty easily?

Answer 1

This can be real complicated. You can't 'clean' a salvage title, but in some states vehicles can be purchased and titled without the salvage or total loss designation, legal bull, blah, blah, blah. Like I said, it's complex. Look for corroded wiring and connectors under the dash, seat tracks usually will rust very badly if not serviced properly, try and remove the scuff plates and check for rust on overlapping metal/welds, corroded aluminum components, traces of silt under the back seat, warped/delamed spare tire/trunk floor cover. Easier to spot flood trouble in the cabin vs the outside of the car. Truth is, if a vehicle was cleaned and serviced properly, (inc. removal of interior door trim, cleaning and servicing window lift assys, wash/dry floor pan & trunk, die-electric grease on wiring connectors, etc) a mechanic will have trouble spotting flood/total. The problems usually start awhile AFTER you have purchased the car;i.e; electronics begin to fail, suspension points begin to squeek, hydraulic lines and components start to corrode, etc, etc. Carfax is useless unless the claim/repairs were reported to the insurance company or participating repairers.

Answer 2

You are absoultely right about the title situation. Devious sellers will transfer the title numerous times beofre selling in an effort to get a clean title, and it does happen.

A New York used car dealer that was in business for years selling stolen vehicles or wrecked, flooded and repaired totals. This guy was so good he even bribed the employees at the Department of Motor Vehicles to fake the titles. He is now serving 11 years in prison. ( See the link below)

Check the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s web site at
www.nicb.org, they have compiled a list of vehicles that
have that have been affected by hurricanes Katrina, Rita
and Wilma. While this list may not include every single
vehicle, it’s a good place to start with.

You should also run an online history report, but once
again, this database may not be all-inclusive, it’s simply
another step in the process of elimination.

For more info, see the link below concerning flood damage vehicles, how sellers attempt to hide them and and how to preliminary inspect.

Jerry Christopher
http://www.usedcarwise.com

Answer 3

Don't buy a car from shady places. Stick to Carmax or the dealerships.
You should get the VIN number off of the car and do a search. That number will tell you everything the car has been through.

Answer 4

some good chances it will smell like mold/mildew...

it should show up on carfax..carfax will state that it was flooded..fixed and re titled in a new state

Answer 5

look for sand and silt inplaces you wouldnt expect to find it. And it should show on carfax. A mechanic should also be able to tell easily.

Answer 6

GMA did a spot on this:
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Consumer/story?id=2024555&page=1

Answer 7

If its filled with water or if it has a sign that says flooded or if it is at the bottom of a river, lake, ocean etc.

Answer 8

It should show on carfax.Take it to a qualified mechanic.

Answer 9

check the fuse panel if u see green anywhere inside chances r its been wet inside the unit good luck

Answer 10

remove the door panel,, there will be water marks inside