That Vehicle On Craigs List May Have More Than Just Miles

By Jane Clover


Are you planning of getting a used or second-hand car to save a couple of bucks? If yes, then it's necessary to make sure that you are going to get a car that is in good condition and not some car damaged by flood. In areas prone to typhoons, hurricanes and floods, people are getting their car insured by auto insurance companies in order for them to get a check for their car's market value in case it got damaged by calamities. However, also in the same areas exist criminals who are into selling flood-damaged vehicles. Surely, no one will buy flood damaged vehicles so these people often repair the cars and make it look as if it's in good condition before selling it. Unsuspecting customers will definitely think the car is in good condition and will make the purchase. In order to avoid experiencing such incident, it's best to check the car properly first. In this article you'll be given ideas in purchasing used cars ---- what to look for so that you can avoid purchasing a flood-damage car.

The easiest way to know if the car has experienced flood is by looking at its floor, glove compartment, dashboards and beneath its seats. You don't have to getting your  Mazda3 serviced in Edmonton Albertaand just to have the mark of cain to come across ocean water damage in a used truck, car or luxury S.U.V. If water was able to get inside the car, you can surely see traces of it in form of mud or rust. Some sellers will go as far as changing the car's carpet and seat covers to make the car look just the same as other used cars therefore you should also check the upholstery and carpeting of the car. You will know if they've been replaced if they do not properly fit. Since the car has been soaked in flood water, its upholstery will surely fade, get stained or discolored. If you noticed these things in the car you're thinking of buying then you really have to thinks again.

It is not only enough to check the vehicle's flooring, seats, upholstery and dashboard to know if it has been flooded. You also need to check its accessory lights and warning lights when you turn it on. See if the ABS lights, interior, exterior and signal lights are all working well. See to it that the airbag is also functioning properly. Also test the car's equipment like air conditioner, radio and heater by switching it on and off couple of times to make sure they are perfectly fine.

Underneath the car's dashboard, you can find few wires. You can use these wires to know if the car has been soaked in water. Check the wires and try to flex them. Usually, wires that have been soaked in water and then dried up get brittle hence when you flex them, they often crack. Sniff the car's interior. If all you smell is the scent of the car deodorizer, then the seller is perhaps trying to hide something. On the other hand, if you smell musty odor or mud, then the car is indeed flood damaged.

It will also be best if you ask for the history report of the car from the seller. If he refuses to give it, get the car's 17-digit VIN or vehicle identification number on the car's dashboard and you can do the car's history background check by yourself. Flood damaged cars may look good in the outside and may appear like nothing is wrong with them. However, the problems with these cars may lie on its mechanical aspects. Defects on the machine of the car are often every hard or expensive to fix. Hence, remember that in buying used cars, it is best to be keen ad cautious than sorry.V:30




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