The country has seen its share of severe storms this year, and 2024 was a big year for flooding in many areas. While the main focus during the storms and in the aftermath is saving lives, there are other admittedly less important issues that can arise after the storm. One of which is the number of used cars out there for sale that lived through the storm and are now on the market. Want to know how you can spot a flood-damaged vehicle?

Make Sure You Know Where It Came From

Some car sellers can get a little sneaky and will transport vehicles away from areas that recently flooded to places where water damage is not on buyers’ minds. This is called title washing. Although this is sneaky, it’s possible. Get a vehicle history report that shows you where the car came from, and when it arrived in your area. You can also check the Carfax report, which includes a free flood damage check based on what state it was registered in.

Take A Close Look in the Trunk

Check the interior of the car and the trunk for signs of water and debris left behind. Give the carpet a good feel to check for moisture and pull it up to check underneath. Look for fading, stains, or any signs of rust. A newly shampooed carpet is not usually a good sign, it means the seller might be trying to cover up the damp smell.
Check the center console and under the dashboard for rust and always check all the electrical components to make sure they are working. Always trust your nose. If you smell mold, mildew, or must, or a heavy deodorant, it’s a red flag.

Check for Water Lines and Moisture

When water rises and then lowers, it often leaves behind a water line. Check under the spare tire in the trunk to see if there is a water line. The headlights and taillights are also good places to check for moisture left behind. If there is condensation inside it’s probably not because of the last rainstorm. It’s because it is one of the used cars that was sitting in several feet of water.

Open the Hood

There are a few reasons you want to open the hood when inspecting used cars for flood damage. Inspect everything under the hood, including looking for stained paper air filters, dried mud in the crevices around components in the engine, and rust or corrosion on screws, bolts, and other metal parts, including the brakes.

Check the Oil

Changes in the color or viscosity of the engine oil is also a sign of a flood-damage car. Oil that’s mixed with water will have a different color. It may be pale, like milk chocolate instead of dark. Oil that’s been through a flood may also be sticky when you touch it.
The key to avoiding flood-damaged used cars is to do your research and make sure to do a thorough inspection.