In the wake of recent flooding due to Hurricane Florence, many vehicles were damaged due to high waters. After a vehicle has incurred flood damage, the insurance company may declare it a total loss. However, a recent report from CarFax suggests that North Carolina drivers may be behind the wheel of more than 13,000 previously flooded vehicles. Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina (BBB) offers tips to consumers to avoid purchasing flood damaged vehicles.
“Under North Carolina law, any flood damage to a vehicle must be disclosed in writing before the vehicle is sold,” says Mallory Wojciechowski, president and CEO of Better Business Bureau serving Eastern NC. “Consumers should use caution and do their research ahead of time to ensure they are dealing with a trustworthy seller.”
BBB offers consumers the following tips for purchasing a vehicle:
Check first with BBB. Before buying a car you should research the dealer at bbb.org.Be careful of individuals selling used cars from a vacant lot or from the side of the curb. The car can come with hidden problems.
Obtain a detailed vehicle history report. Be sure to obtain a vehicle history report on a vehicle that you are looking to purchase. Records included in each report reveal important information about a car’s history, such as an odometer reading, existence of a branded title such as a salvage/junk title, or past registration as a fleet vehicle.
Take a test drive. Before you even begin discussing numbers, take the vehicle out for a spin. See how the car performs on both the highway and city roads. Mute the radio and limit conversation so you can listen closely for any strange noises coming from the car.
Remember contracts are binding. Most vehicles are sold “as is”. Before signing a contract, read through all the terms and conditions. If any verbal agreements were made, they should be included in the written contract as well.
BBB Offers Tips on Spotting a Flooded Vehicle:
- A musty odor in the interior, which can sometimes be covered with a strong air-freshener
- Upholstery or carpeting which doesn’t match, is loose, new, or stained
- Damp carpets
- Rust around doors, inside the hood and trunk latches, pedals, or under the dashboard
- Mud or silt in the glove compartment or under seats
- Brittle wires under the dashboard
- Fog or moisture beads in the interior or exterior lights or instrument panel
For more information you can trust, visit bbb.org.
