Community Chat

[SeaMaiden]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/heres-what-happens-to-all-of-the-flooded-cars-after-hurricane-ha...

[SilleeMee]

I don't know but I would be very leery of buying a car, new or used, in the near future after these storms.

[SharkE]

get sold on the cheap at car auctions. Resold to folks who can't afford bank loans or have cash. 'Lemons'.

[fthunt]

Oh how true - - I know first hand.   Helped friends with downpayment on preowned vehicle - like $2K.  This van looked perfect and ran very well and female owner just loved the it........until State Police knocked on their door.  This van had traveled more in 6 months than you do in 5 years - went from state to state and finally landed at a dubious dealer in their hometown - and put on the lot for sale.  Mileage had been changed - perhaps the VIN number messed with - this couple had to turn it over as evidence or whatever.  This dealer is STILL in business and just got nailed for running used oil (change) through a garden hose and down a hill behind his car lot.  BUT - he is still in operation.  This happened following floods in KY area.

[noodleann]

"... keep your eyes out for flood-repaired vehicles that will be showing up on the market shortly" really doesn't help people know how to spot those vehicles that fly under the reporting radar, mainly paid-off and uninsured or underinsured vehicles.

Some mention of Carfax or similar services that can provide an ownership history of the vehicle would be helpful. Relying on a Carfax produced by the seller is unwise, since there are stories of them being altered.

I wouldn't buy a vehicle that had lived in Texas, Florida, Louisiana, or other flood-affected states, or the southwestern states, because of the sun and heat damage. I'd also steer clear of coastal locations because of saltwater, and would be cautious buying a car that had lived in a state that brines the roads in winter, which corrodes the undercarriage, or at least have a meticulous pre-purchase inspection by my mechanic.

I'm sure there are other issues that would send up red flags, but those are the ones I know that make Carfax a good investment.

[SeaMaiden]

I would think a good mechanic could do a though check of a car  prior to purchase and see if it was a flood vehicle or not.

[goldensrbest]

Wasn't there a thread about this?

[CelticCrafter]

Before we knew anything about Sandy, we had planned to buy a new car around Black Friday that year.

Needless to say, we did not.

[Cakers3]

The VIN will tell you where the car has been even if it had been in another state.

You have to do your homework.  I agree if using Carfax do it on your own; do not accept a report from a seller.

Also I believe the bulk of these cars go to scrap for parts. 

[sunshine45]

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@SeaMaiden wrote:

I would think a good mechanic could do a though check of a car  prior to purchase and see if it was a flood vehicle or not.

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it isnt always that easy to determine.

a bunch of these cars with minor flooding issues will most likely end up at the wholesale dealer auctions and selling very cheaply. they will then get put onto a used car lot and sold.