I'm want to buy a used car where it floods occasionally. How can I make sure there is no hidden flood damage?

the very best way to tell if its been in a flood reach in under the seat and feel the springs on the seats,if they are rusted its been in water,we saved a bunch of customers from getting ripped off a while back,they was selling cars from the south,and they looked good when we got to the auction i put my hand in under the seat and all the springs were really rusty,that's one true way to tell,the never get the water out in time to stop the rust,it saved me from making a 5 thousand dollar mistake on a real nice looking mustang also,good luck ,i hope you don't wind up with one.

I would not even hassle buying and selling a $500 auto in. Some will be given it a few may not. How ever you can do so much greater in a individual sale. If you inform them your auto is valued at $six hundred they will say $three hundred. In reality I'd be amazed in the event that they even present you part. And sure a low present is an overly well situation to begin. They will best ask for extra. I'd begin at round $4800, see what they may be able to do for you. Set an quantity you're inclined to spend on it, make that your highest and don't pass over it. If they present you $7500 for instance they're anticipating a further counter present of much less whilst making this. Also ensure you get a experiment force earlier than you purchase it. If some thing factor feels incorrect do not purchase it. Check the state of the tyres it is going to want a few new ones. Also ask if the battery is in well situation, if you'll be able to investigate the wiper blades and that kind of factor is operating. If anything is as much as scratch inform the dealership they'll ought to do anything approximately it in the event that they desire you to shop for the auto. At the second they rather do desire you to shop for it. They can't take and depart presents as they as soon as might.

Tough question...Let me give you a heads up though... My car got flooded about a month ago and I ended up selling it for $200, because otherwise I would have to spend $2000 to fix it. It was leaking oil from 3 different places and it was hard to shift the gears, because all the seals underneath were hardened by the water.

Look for rusted bolts on the interior floor..ie where the seats bolt to the floor or the seatbelts bolt to the floor. Also pull out the lower portion of the rear seat and look for suspicious rusty areas. Pull the trunk mat and check in the spare tire well also...

Checkout www.CARFAX.com They will give you info on the condition of the car once you enter the VIN number. If they state the condition and it is found to be not true, CARFAX will even buy your car back. That is an offer you can't refuse. CARFAX is nationaly known and is even used by the US government.

go to www.carfax.com. It does cost a few dollars, but it's better than buying a car and then finding out it is a lemon. Also go by your since of smell. Mold or mildew.

you can check in hidden places for muddy water stains like way up under the dash or way up underneath the front seats. if you are seriously interested in the car take it to your mechanic. if he finds anything like that run away fast.

look in the least likely places for mud and water marks like in the fender wells in the trunk in with the spare tire and up under the dash.. and inside the wiring harnesses

if the car has a strong smell of carpet cleaner or air freshener it could be to hide the rotten smell of damp carpet and seats

not sure what to check

"carfax" only reports what was reported to them......They don't know EVERYTHING!

Look for dried muddy film on hidden places.

Test EVERTHING electrical a lot of times.

Smell it.