GREENSBORO, N.C. — The cars in the Debby flood waters this week may end up for sale later this year at a car lot near you or online. Yes, vehicle history reports are supposed to alert you to any problems, but it's not a guarantee. Sometimes, the flood damage information isn't documented correctly. WHY?
Flood damage is covered only by comprehensive insurance. If the owner didn't have it, there was no need to report it to the insurance company, so they would sell the car without telling anyone.
2 Wants To Know asked a Consumer Reports Auto Expert to show you a few ways you can sniff out a flood-damaged car.
"The first thing you want to do is come over to the front of the car. Inhale and see if there's any kind of moldy or musty smell. If you have that you want to walk away from the car," said Jon Linkov, Consumer Reports Auto Editor.
Next, pop up the trim panel on the side of the door. If the carpet is dirty, or if there's any kind of sediment in here or rust.
Look in the door pockets. If there's any kind of sediment in here or dirt or stones, that's what happened when the water came up and into the car, and as it drained away it settled and hid in there.
Pop off some of the caps and covers for the seat bolts. If these are scratched up or even look rusted, that means the seat was taken out so it could air dry.
Look where a spare tire would be kept. If it’s got sound deadening, smell if it’s musty or moldy smelling. See if there’s any rust on exposed screws, on the panels, or even on the tools like the jack or the jack stand.
"Look along the back of the engine bay, and there’s some soft material here, it’s sound deadening. When water rises and stays when the car is flooded, it’s going to recede and leave a flood line. If there’s anything like that, walk away from the vehicle," said Linkov.