Beware of flood-damaged vehicles for sale in our area, AAA warns

Used-car buyers should be aware that vehicles damaged in yesterday’s floods may be put up for sale in coming months. AAA recommends that used-car buyers always have a potential used-car purchase inspected by a qualified automotive technician and check its title history to help determine whether it sustained flood damage among other problems.

A tell-tale sign of flood damage on new and used cars is the presence of dried mud on components under the hood. A damp or musty odor in the trunk or moisture on the paper elements of the air filter are other warning signs. In older cars, new carpet and upholstery may indicate flood damage.

“In addition to the obvious damage done to upholstery and carpeting, flood water is a corrosive and abrasive mixture of water and dirt that forces its way into every seam and crevice of an automobile,” said John Milbrath, vice president of Automotive Services for AAA Washington.

Most vulnerable to damage are the engine, transmission and other components of the drive train. Unless these vital parts are completely restored, contaminants from the flood water will cause premature wear and shorten the life of the vehicle.

“A car’s electrical system also is vulnerable to the damaging effects of flood water and may need to be replaced,” Milbrath said. “Engine computers and other electronic devices can sometimes be salvaged, but corrosion and oxidation can occur several weeks after the components are cleaned.”

There are many parts of a car that are difficult to clean and dry because they are virtually inaccessible. Door locks, window regulators, wiring harnesses, heating and air conditioning components and many small devices are tucked away in hidden spaces. These items may fail at a later date because of contamination by dirty water.

Used-car buyers should be extremely cautious and keep their eyes out for flood-damaged vehicles over the next few months. Total restoration of a flood-damaged car can be as extensive and expensive as restoring a classic car.

For a list of qualified automotive technicians able to perform an inspection, visit AAA.com and search for your local AAA Approved Auto Repair facility. Each of these auto repair shops has passed AAA’s rigorous standards of excellence for customer service, certifications, equipment, guarantee, written estimate and more. 

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