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Around 230,000 vehicles were damaged by Hurricane Sandy’s rain and flood waters in late October. Now the National Dealers Association has warned car dealerships that some of those vehicles have been re-conditioned in order to be sold in other states, including North Carolina.
Tracy Myers, owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx in Winston Salem, said he won’t be buying any water-damaged Sandy cars.
“If we get that car we’re not going to sell it. We advise any consumer to never buy a flood car,” Myers said.
If you’re in the market, Myers said there are some things you need to check out on a car to make sure it’s not water-damaged.
For the car’s interior, water lines are often hard to get rid of, and may still be visible even with repeated washing.
In the trunk, detailers often miss the spare tire well, which can become rusted if a heavy amount of water is in the trunk.
Under the hood, untreated bolts and screws will also show rust, despite a dealer’s best efforts. All of these examples should be red flags, Myers said.
Then there are the things you can’t see.
Robert Thomas, Director of Service at Frank Myers Auto Maxx, said water can damage the car’s on-board computer, which can cause the diagnostic system to malfunction.
“It’s impossible to completely dry a car’s electrical components if it’s been submerged,” Thomas said.
Myers advised all buyers to get a complete vehicle history report, which would disclose if a car had ever been flooded. “All reputable car dealerships will give consumers a complete vehicle history report, such as Auto Check from Experian, for free.”
Failing to disclose damage to a vehicle is a misdemeanor in North Carolina, and it can also leave someone convicted of the offense open to civil action.
