Buying flood damaged cars is an effective way to save a significant amount of money. Before buying a salvage title car, you need to be aware of some common issues that may come with it. You need to check whether the salvage car seller or auctioneer is divulging all the critical information on the vehicle or not, such as primary/secondary damage, title type, and so on. You also need to check 3 vital aspects before making the final buying decision: we’re listing them in this blog. Take a look.
1. Odor
Before buying a flood damaged salvage car for sale, you should check if the interior of the vehicle has a musty smell. The metal and glass of a water-damaged car dry out within a few hours, whereas any water that gets inside the vehicle stays wet for a long time. A moldy or musty odor inside the car can indicate mildew buildup due to exposure to water for a long time. If you decide to purchase it, remove the water with a wet-dry vacuum, and then allow it to air dry thoroughly. You can use a strong air freshener to cover the mildew odor. You should also check the air-conditioner as a moldy smell may also come from the vents.
2. Malfunctioning Electrical Systems
Another key aspect that you need to look into is the electrical system. It is always better to inspect the system rather than ignoring it and encountering problems in the future. They may not directly relate to safety and drivability but are crucial to the vehicle’s working condition and comfortable ride. Flood water may affect power locks/windows, audio systems, and cruise control. A typical car seller or dealer may not disclose broken or faulty electrical systems other than the central electronics. Additionally, the process of corrosion may result in the failure of the electronics of your salvage title car much later down the line. You may be able to repair these electronics if you buy a water-damaged car from a reputed auto auction website. Such portals maintain complete transparency about the types of damages and the entire auction process.
3. Lack in Lubrication
Floodwaters wash a car inside-out. The swirling water washes away all the essential lubricants that fill the cracks of a vehicle. If the inside of the engine gets exposed to floodwater, various issues may crop up like a lack of proper lubrication or corrosion in the inner parts of the engine. It is essential to troubleshoot these issues as early as possible. If the engine oil gets washed away from places such as your crankshaft bearings, you will notice a drastic reduction in the life of your car engine.
Conclusion
Now that you know what to look for when purchasing a flood damaged car for sale, you are ready to make a hard inspection before bidding. You may find a leading online salvage vehicle auction site that lists and sells flood damaged cars through a completely transparent system to get a good deal. The key factors discussed in this write-up may help you make an informed decision.