How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Car Before You Buy

Why is flood damage a problem?

Before looking at how to avoid flood-damaged vehicles, let’s look at some of the reasons why you want to avoid them. Cars with flood damage can look fine on the outside, but in reality they are a ticking time bomb for future damage.

• Engine Damage: If water gets in the engine and mixes with oil, it can permanently damage the car’s engine. 
• Electronics: Water is bad for electronics and cars are chock full of electronic systems. Some you might notice issues with, and other, like an airbag system, you might not realize isn’t functioning. In rare cases, damaged electronics may be at risk of catching fire. 
• Mold and Mildew: In addition to giving your car a musty odor, mold and mildew can lead to respiratory problems. 
• Rust and Corrosion: These issues may crop up in hard to notice places for months or years after the flood. 

After a flood, some cars that were submerged in flood waters may be purchased by shops or disreputable individuals who will dry them out and make cosmetic repairs and then try to resell them to unsuspecting customers. Here’s how to avoid that.

1. Check the vehicle history

First thing you want to do is dive into your car’s past to find out if there is any reported history of flood or water damage. 

• Use services like Carfax or AutoCheck to check for flood damage history.
• Look for salvage or flood titles, which indicate the car was deemed a total loss due to flooding.
• Be aware of title washing. This occurs when a car with a flood-damaged title gets transported to a new state and may potentially get a clean title.

2. Inspect the interior

Unfortunately, not all flood issues may show up on the car’s history. It’s important to be aware of what to look out for when you text drive and inspect the car. 

• Unusual Odors: A strong musty or mildew smell can indicate prolonged water exposure.
• Mismatched Carpets or Upholstery: If the carpeting looks too new for an older car, it may have been replaced to cover water damage.
• Damp or Stiff Carpeting: Press down on the carpet and floor mats to feel for dampness.
• Rust or Corrosion on Metal Parts: Check under the seats, dashboard and inside the glove compartment.
• Water Stains: Look for tide marks or discoloration on seats, door panels and the headliner.

3. Examine the electrical systems

In addition to doing a visual inspection of the car’s interior, you’ll want to do a little testing of its electronic systems and note any issues. 

• Malfunctioning Electronics: Test the lights, power windows, seat adjustments and radio. Flood-damaged cars often have persistent electrical issues.
• Foggy Headlights or Interior Lights: Moisture trapped inside light covers suggests water exposure.
• Corroded Wiring: Inspect under the dashboard and hood for brittle, corroded or discolored wires.

4. Check for rust and mud residue

Rust and mud are other obvious signs of previous water. Here’s some places to look to spot them. 

• Under the Car: Look for rust on the frame, suspension or exhaust system.
• Inside the Trunk and Engine Bay: Dirt or silt in unusual places (e.g., under the spare tire, behind panels) suggests past flooding.
• Bolts and Screws: Rusty or corroded fasteners inside the car indicate long-term water exposure.

5. Hire a pro

While many of the above things on this list are items you can look out for yourself, it’s always advisable when getting a used car to have it inspected by a professional. 

• A trusted mechanic can inspect the vehicle for hidden flood damage.
• They can check the engine, transmission and hidden components for moisture-related damage.

What to do if the car you're considering is flood-damaged?

So let's say you find some evidence of previous flood damage in your car, either in its history or in your pre-sale inspections. What should you do? 

Our advice would to be move on to another vehicle. This is espeically true if there is evidence the seller is intentionally trying to hide the damage. However, if you are set on purchasing a vehicle with known flood damage, it's even more important to have a licensed mechanic look at the vehicle to tell you the full extent of the damage before you purchased. 

In the next section, we'll look at the special considerations for insuring a car with flood damage. 

Insuring a flood-damaged car

Comprehensive car insurance coverage will protect you from flood damage to your car when it happens. But what about a car that previously was flood damaged before you owned it? 

It depends on if the vehicle was issued a salvage title or if the previous owner had the damage properly repaired. If the car was fully repaired following a flood, you should be able to insure it just like any other vehicle.

However, if the car has a salvage title, you will likely have more difficulty obtaining insurance, especially for collision and comprehensive coverage. If you can only obtain liability coverage for it, that means all other future repairs will be out of pocket, including if the car is flooded while you own it. 

Wrapping up

Avoiding being stuck with a water-damaged ride all comes down to doing your due diligence during the purchase process. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true. Flood-damaged vehicles are sometimes sold in different states to hide their history. If the price seems unusually low for the make and model, it could be a red flag and you should consider with caution.