Buyer Beware: How to Spot a Flood Car - Scott Couch
Stream Fox 17 newscasts LIVE starting with TN Mornings at 5 am and News at 9 pm.NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The images of all those flooded cars after this month's heavy rains has some wondering what will become of those vehicles. Most of those vehicles will be sent to salvage yards to be sold for parts, but some will be cleaned up and resold. Carmax doesn't sell flood damaged cars but agreed to show Fox 17 what to watch for so you don't get stung.Salesman Austin Robinson says the first place to look is the headlights. You're looking for any indication the car has been been under water. Another thing we check is underneath the pedals and underneath the seats to see if there's any rust on these metal parts. obviously when they get wet they begin to rust, Robinson said. You should also check the trunk, look for signs of water around the spare tire.Most dealers will give you a vehicle history report.If they don't, get the vin and check it yourself.With a little elbow grease, even a car flooded by a hurricane can be made to look presentable. Even so, Larry Gamache with Carfax, a national leader in vehicle history reports, says flood waters infect the soft parts of a vehicle with biological material that can never be removed. second, the electrical systems are slowly rusting away ... performance of the car and airbags may not function properly.Experts say it may take several months for flood damaged vehicles to hit the market. Those vehicles should be sold with a salvaged title so you know what you're getting. Experts, however, say nothing is foolproof so do the homework yourself.Follow us on Twitter @wztv_fox17 and LIKE us on Facebook for updates.
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