Water-damaged vehicles may flood used-car market. Here's how to spot them before you buy

An awful lot of cars, trucks and SUVs were destroyed or damaged when Hurricane Ian flooded large parts of Florida as it rampaged across the state. Many were undoubtedly totaled.

But some of those cars you saw floating in videos — or in your own neighborhood — may end up on used car lots, at auto auctions and in classified and social media ads in the coming months.

"We are seeing these flooded cars show up all around the country, putting unsuspecting buyers at risk," said Emilie Voss, Carfax spokesperson, in a release.

"Cosmetically these cars might look great, but if you don't know what to look for, it's nearly impossible to tell they are literally rotting from the inside out. Floodwater can cause mechanical, electrical, health and safety issues in a vehicle even if it was submerged for only a short time."

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Carfax estimated that water and wind damage from Hurricane Ian potentially damaged as many as 358,000 vehicles.

Once a flooded car is totaled it gets a new title called a "salvage title" and is typically sold at auction to junkyards and people looking for parts. But that status isn't always passed on to potential buyers.

Some unscrupulous sellers also may transport the vehicles well out of the flooded area where would-be buyers might not be suspicious enough to look too closely, and they may hide the vehicle's history of flood damage through what’s known as ‘title washing,’ according to Dennis Horton, director of the Rockford Regional Office of the Better Business Bureau. Some may straight-up tamper with the documentation to trick buyers into believing the cars are in good condition.

And some water damage can take years to surface, after the seller is long gone.

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What does flooding do to a vehicle?

"The real danger is that these cars may look fine and run well for a while, but sooner rather than later major problems are likely to occur. Flooded cars literally rot from the inside out and the damage is often difficult for untrained eyes to detect," Carfax spokesman Chris Basso said.

The immediate effects are obvious: foul or musty odors, rust, discolored interiors, engine smoke, odd noises and electronic damage.

In the long term, water can permanently damage computers and electrical systems that control gas and brake pedals, steering and gear shifts, airbag controllers, and safety and warning sensors, and corrosion may not be apparent for months or years when abruptly your vehicle develops problems or just stops working. And then you're stuck.

How can I tell if a car was flooded or flood-damaged during Hurricane Ian?

Ask to see the title. If the title is stamped "salvage" or the vehicle is from a recently-flooded area, you should probably ask the buyer some questions.

Check the vehicle history report. After insurers cover flood damage on a vehicle, the vehicle history report will notate its status as a salvaged car. Carfax has a free flood check tool just for that purpose, or you can check the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System. The National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) free database lists flood damage and other information, but if the vehicle was not insured it may not appear there.

Use your nose. Any musty or strange smells inside the vehicle? That could indicate the past presence of moisture. You may also want to be suspicious of strong cleaning solutions or disinfectant odors since that may indicate a lot of covering up. Be sure to turn on the A/C and take a whiff; it's harder to hide foul odors in the vents.

Check the dashboard. Make sure every gauge and electronic device works and is accurate. Look for signs that the dashboard has been removed and check for water or condensation in dials of older vehicles. Test the lights, windshield wipers, turn signals, cigarette lighter, power locks, windows, radio, heater and A/C several times.

Pull back the carpet. Check for signs of water or mud. Is the carpet or upholstery discolored, faded or mildewed? The carpets can't be replaced without removing the seats, so look for evidence that those screws were removed recently. Possibly more troubling: Is the carpet obviously brand new?

Check the interior spaces. Any water or visible waterlines in the headlights or taillights? Look in the trunk, glove compartment, and beneath the seats for signs of mud, rust or water damage. Look for mud and dirt on the underside of the dashboard where it's difficult to clean, and for rust, mud or discoloration in body seams and out-of-the-way crevices in doors, under the hood and inside the trunk. Another telltale sign: were the rubber drainage plugs under the car and on the bottom of doors removed recently?

Pop the hood. Look for standing water, mud or sand around the engine compartment. Try bending some of the wires there and under the dash to see if they bend or crack as wet wires tend to become brittle when they dry.

Hunt for rust: Look for corrosion anywhere on the vehicle, especially underneath. It may take time for rust to show up, though. One good place to check is the heads of unpainted, exposed screws under the dashboard.

Hit the road. Don't take the seller's word for anything. Take the car for a test drive.

Get it inspected by a trusted or AAA-approved mechanic. Trust us, they'll know what to look for.

Check out the dealer. If you're looking at a vehicle from a dealer, it's a good idea to check out their Better Business Bureau profile at bbb.org.

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Is a flood-damaged car fixable?

That really depends on the extent of the damage.

Minor flooding that was quickly drained may not be as much of an issue, but any vehicle that was severely flooded or that was partially or fully submerged for days is considered a total loss by insurance companies.

C. A. Bridges is a Digital Producer for the USA TODAY Network, working with multiple newsrooms across Florida. Local journalists work hard to keep you informed about the things you care about, and you can support them by subscribing to your local news organization. Read more articles by Chris here and follow him on Twitter at @cabridges

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Hurricane Ian: Carfax warns water-damaged vehicles may flood market