How to Avoid Buying a Flooded Car and Spot Hidden Damage

A flood-damaged car is a vehicle that has been exposed to excessive water, often during floods or heavy rain. The damage can range from minor cosmetic issues to severe mechanical and electrical failure.

The extent of damage to a flooded car can vary greatly, from superficial water stains to a hydro-locked engine. However, the most significant considerations are usually the amount of water the car was exposed to and the length of time it was exposed.

Cars can become flooded in several ways:

• Being parked in a flooded area
• Driving through high water or flooded streets
• Leaving windows or the sunroof open during heavy rain
• Accidents where the vehicle is submerged
• Intentional damage involving water

Flood-damaged vehicles often have serious hidden issues, including:

• Electrical system failures (lights, sensors, windows, safety systems)
• Mold and mildew buildup
• Rust and corrosion on metal parts
• Engine damage or hydro-lock
• Unusual noises when driving
• Persistent foul odors
• Discoloration of interior materials

Many professionals believe that a flooded car can never be fully repaired. While the vehicle may look acceptable, there are often hidden damages that may only be found months after purchase.

The owner of a car insured with both collision and comprehensive coverage will want to report flood damage to their insurance company.

If the owner of the flooded car reports the damage to their insurance company, the insurance company must determine if the car is a total loss or can be repaired. The insurance company will declare a vehicle a total loss if it believes the flood damage cannot be safely repaired or that the repair cost is greater than the car's value. If the insurance company determines that the car is a total loss, the vehicle should get a new title, often referred to as a salvage title.

If you don't have insurance coverage for flood damage, you still must disclose that your car has been flooded to a potential buyer.

Is It Illegal To Sell a Flood-Damaged Car?

It is not legal to sell a flood-damaged car without informing the buyer of the car's true condition. Most dealerships that sell a flood-damaged car will have the buyer sign a waiver acknowledging the flood damage has been disclosed.

If a flooded car is sent to a junk or salvage yard, the owners of these businesses are responsible for reporting the following information to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS):

• The name, address, and contact information of the reporting entity.
• The date the vehicle was obtained.
• The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
• The name of the person from whom the vehicle was obtained.
• A statement of whether the vehicle will be crushed, disposed of, or whether the car will be offered for sale, and whether the vehicle will be exported out of the United States.

Collision coverage alone does not cover flood damage to a vehicle; however, comprehensive coverage usually does. Comprehensive coverage will pay for damage from flood, theft, fire, and other damage from natural disasters.

If your car is financed, your finance company usually requires that you carry both collision and comprehensive coverage. It is important to remember to take detailed pictures of your vehicle as soon as possible after the damage occurs. If you can do so safely, it is good to take photographs of your car while still exposed to the floodwaters. It is also wise to take pictures and write down the details of the visible damage to your vehicle immediately after the damage has occurred.

You want to be cautious and do your research, regardless of where you are buying a used car. However, some areas are more likely to have flood cars for sale.

The following ten states are known to have high incidents of flood-damaged vehicles:

• Texas
• Florida
• Pennsylvania
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Illinois
• South Carolina
• North Carolina
• New Jersey
• Michigan

The following five cities are also known to have high incidents of flood-damaged vehicles:

• Houston
• Dallas
• Philadelphia
• Miami
• New York

Many of these locations have more flood-damaged cars due to their proximity to the coast. For instance, in 2021, Hurricane Ida caused flooding along the Gulf Coast of Texas, Louisiana, and Florida and then swept up the East Coast, causing flood damage from South Carolina to New York and New Jersey. Thousands of vehicles can be flooded in hours during a hurricane or other storm.

With new car prices increasing and the availability of new cars decreasing, many consumers look for a good deal on a used vehicle. However, there are many flood-damaged cars on dealership lots today. If you want to avoid purchasing a flood-damaged car, you need to know what to look for.

Check the vehicle history report.

It is good to get a vehicle history report when considering a used car. An excellent way to check a vehicle history report is through GoodCar.com. This electronic system allows buyers to obtain information about the vehicle's title, insurance total loss records, safety recalls, brand history, odometer rollback information, and more. Having such complete information helps protect consumers from unsafe and fraudulent vehicles and prevents the sale of stolen vehicles.

The brand history refers to whether a vehicle has ever been "branded" as "junk", "flood", or "salvage". Once a vehicle has such a branded title, it remains with the vehicle in the NMVTIS system.

Inspect the Car for Warning Signs

Suppose you've checked out the vehicle history report and found no problem. In that case, it is still possible that the car has been "title washed" by never being reported to the insurance company or by a salvage company. Therefore, you still want to inspect a car carefully before purchasing it. There are several things you should check for when considering whether the car has flood damage, including:

• Check for odors inside the vehicle. For example, mildew and mold can give off offensive odors and may indicate flood damage.
• Check under the floor mats and carpets for water stains or dampness.
• Check the vehicle's metal parts, such as the seat bolts that attach to the floor or screws under the dashboard. Rusty metal parts are signs that a car may have been flooded.
• Check the headlights for signs of condensation or water still inside.
• Check for discolored carpet and upholstery.
• Check for unusual noises coming from the engine or other areas when you test drive the car.

A car that has been flooded with salt water is likely to experience more severe corrosion and related damage. In addition, saltwater flooded cars are harder to repair and result in more total loss determinations than vehicles inundated with fresh water.

Saltwater tends to immediately rust the car and damage the car's electrical system beyond repair. It does not take long for saltwater to destroy a vehicle.

Saltwater flood damage has been described as similar to dropping a car into acid. Even junkyards and salvage businesses will not usually purchase a saltwater-flooded car, as the parts are too corroded or rusted to be of value.