From as far north as Maryland through the Carolinas and West to Texas there’s been epic flooding this year. Why are we talking about this on a blog for an auto repair center? Because if you’re going to buy a used car, you should have it checked out by an independent auto mechanic. If you don’t, you’re risking buying a car with more problems than you can count.
Exterior Issues
Although the car might look great on the surface, rust may already be eating away at the entire vehicle. A nice cleaning and a touch of paint may allow the car a perfect look for a while, but eventually rust will begin to show. Door handles and other chrome items will quickly begin to bubble and rust, especially when exposed to sun. You may even find that the mirror falls out of the bracket because it’s come unglued.
Interior Problems
The car may run fine but every element in the car can be affected. Here are just a few problems a flood damaged car may have:
- Deterioration of wiring and connections that eventually lead to system failures
- Airbags that won’t deploy or deploy randomly because they’ve been soaked
- Mold and mildew which can lead to health concerns
- Seatbelt failure
The list of issues goes on and on and a great price on a car initially isn’t worth the cost of repairs down the road.
How to Avoid Buying a Flooded Car
Cars that have been deemed totaled by the insurance company should receive a salvage title. This is one thing you can check. However, not all car sales people are ethical and they may not answer your questions fully. You can check CARFAX for free and see if they have a flood report on the vehicle. That’s not always fool-proof. Perhaps the best thing to do before buying a used vehicle is to contact your independent auto mechanic and pay them a small fee for a comprehensive inspection. That will give you a good idea about the true condition of the car and what may need repair sooner rather than later. If the vehicle isn’t flood damaged, you may walk away with some negotiating power on the price.
Oldsmar Automotive wants to be your independent auto mechanic. We’ll gladly inspect a vehicle you’re looking to buy. If you choose to get the car or truck, we’ll perform the necessary repairs and continue maintaining your vehicle so you can enjoy it for years to come. No appointment necessary, stop by our shop in Oldsmar at 3166 Tampa Road or call us at 727-784-3501.
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