Buying a used car? Be wary of recycled underwater cars in new scam

(WHTM) — “Carfax” is urging customers to take caution when buying a used car over the next six months, especially if the vehicle came from down south.

We’ve all seen the heartbreaking images from Hurricane Helene and now Hurricane Milton. Among the devastation were thousands of flooded-out cars. Unfortunately, some of them may be headed our way. Hurricanes Helene and Milton have left thousands of cars underwater. Most become salvage cars, but some will end up on used car lots. Enrique Sanders of AAA says the damage is not always obvious.

“It looks just like a clean car, until you dig a little further, the undercarriage, the electrical components,” Sanders said.

Even if you don’t live in a flood-prime area, it is very easy these days to end up buying a flood-damaged car, which could end up costing you thousands of dollars in repairs.

“But many other times it’s much tougher to tell if a car was in a flood,” Sanders says outside, inspect the taillight housings.

Sanders advises everyone to check for any moisture, which could mean flooding, open the trunk, peel back the coverings, and check under the floormats. Inside, he says, look under the carpeting, and under the hood, as a brand-new battery or wiring can be a red flag.

Then, he says do some detective work on your phone or computer. Pull up the carfax and check its repair history. Was it wrecked? Flooded? And look at where it was sold: any used car shipped in from Florida’s Gulf Coast is the biggest red flag, of all.

Mechanic Matt Overbeck has seen some flood-damaged cars in the past, and he says you will likely face constant electrical problems: “Upwards of 80 computer modules in modern vehicles. It doesn’t take much. If they get wet or submerged in water, there is no way to repair it.”

Always get the Carfax and inspect the car very carefully.

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