Hurricanes can bring a type of sand-blasting effect to a vehicle’s paint finish with high winds that propel natural abrasives, like sand and gravel. Hurricanes also bring their share of flooding, which makes water damage the most common type of vehicle storm damage. It’s also the most difficult to spot when you’re buying a used vehicle.
According to Carfax®, flooded vehicles rot from the inside out. Water can corrode the mechanical parts in the engine, transmission and drive train, and also compromise safety features, including airbags and anti-lock brakes. In addition, mold and bacteria can permeate the car.
A general rule is that if water has risen above the vehicle’s floorboards, it should be considered totaled. The Appraisal Lane recommends using the acronym SMART as a guide for scoping out water damage:
S – Smell: musty, moldy smells in the passenger compartment.
M – Moisture: damp carpets, upholstery, sun visors, headliners; check headlights/tail lights for water.
A – Accumulation of debris: mud, silt, grass, etc., under bumper covers, in wheel wells, engine. compartment, air conditioning/heating vents, inside door panels.
R – Rust and corrosion: on seat brackets, under the dash, on the frame, springs, brake rotors and drums. Check engine and connection points, especially wiring and fuses.
T – Trunk check: water that reaches the truck typically has reached the engine and most of the interior, too.
Using online vehicle information services can help assess damage, especially when a vehicle has an out-of-state registration. Carfax comprehensive vehicle reports are valid for 60 days, which may not account for more recent storms. For a more current report, go to Vehicle History and enter the VIN to get an up-to-the minute report.
When assessing your flood-damaged vehicle by repair professionals, estimators and auto physical damage appraisers (APDAs) should conduct a thorough analysis of the vehicle, including the interior, exterior and engine compartment, and determine the effects of the water on automotive electronics, plastics, fabric and mechanical parts.
Make sure you have the proper questions to ask in advance when taking your flood-damaged vehicle to an Gold Class® repair shop.