How to spot, avoid water-damaged cars after flooding
By Gabrielle Kutsup
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... Storms swamped streets, cars and homes last week [07/14/2025] as heavy rain brought flooding across New Jersey.
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Images of cars submerged along roads and highways were plastered all over social media.
..... The floodwaters have receded, but they left another challenge for future car buyers: how to avoid buying a compromised vehicle.
..... "Vehicles damaged by flood s have often ended up in the marketplace being sold to unsuspecting consumers," warns a tip sheet on spotting flood-damaged cars from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
..... "It's important that consumers know if a car they are buying has water damage, because it can mean major electrical problems, which can be costly to repair, AAA said.
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If you are looking to purchase a car, here are some signs of water damage in a vehicle you can spot before you buy, courtesy of the Consumer Affairs Division:
* Check for any musty or moldy smells.
* Test all the electronic components of the car.
* Look for watermarks, as well as dirt and sand, throughout the car's interior Check under seats and the dashboard and in the engine bay and trunk.
* See if there's condensation in the vehicle's taillights and headlights.
* Search for rusting screwed and spring and for rust around the rim of the spare tire.
..... Consumers can also look up the vehicle identification number to check the condition and history thorough an approved National Motor Vehicle Title Information Systems Data provider. Getting a mechanic to inspect the vehicle before purchasing isn't a bad idea, either
..... "The vehicle history report may disclose that the vehicle's title has received a 'flood' brand" and reveal any prior accidents or odometer discrepancies, the division said.
Watch out for 'title washing'
..... Still, important information like flood damage can be removed from a car's record through a process called title washing, which can happen if the vehicle is moved from one state to another, said automotive website Kelly Blue Book.
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"The best defense is a good offense," Keely Blue Book advised. "It also pays to complement a vehicle history check with a through inspection by a trusted and certified mechanic."