How to avoid a flood-damaged car

By Doug McAllister

Q. I want to buy a used car and I am worried about the recent flooding. I don't want to buy a flood-damaged car. Is there a surefire way to tell if a car has been in a flood?

A. Great question and no, you definitely don't want to buy a flood-damaged car.

Most of the time anything that has been in a flood will immediately be totaled by the insurance company. Anytime water is high enough to make it into the passenger compartment, the car is pretty much considered a total loss. Typically, these cars don't make it back into the marketplace, but there is no guarantee.

The main reason a flood-damaged car is totaled is because of water intrusion into all the electronics and wiring that is on the floor of the car. Once these components get wet, you can end up chasing electrical problems from now until the cows come home.

Here are a couple tips of what to look for. You can start by requesting a Carfax report. This provides an accident and repair history for the car. Many dealers provide them, but you can purchase one yourself.

Also make sure the car does not have a rebuilt title. It is best to have a professional inspect the car but you can do some investigating on your own.

Let your nose tell you if you smell moisture or mold. Do you see signs of moisture or dirt in the car where there shouldn't be? Check in places that would be hard to clean; one good place to check is the spare tire well. If the car has new carpeting, that might be a red flag, as well, because this is not something that normally would get replaced.

Make sure all the electrical components work properly and follow your instincts. If in doubt, walk away.

If you are working with a dealership, make sure it is a reputable one by checking its online reputation.

• Douglas Automotive is at 417 W. Main St., Barrington; 123 Virginia Road, Crystal Lake; and 416 Northwest Hwy., Fox River Grove. For information, visit douglasautomotive.com. Send questions to underthehood@dailyherald.com.