Natural Disaster Dangers: What To Know Before Buying a Car From Out of State

If you’re in the market to purchase a car, you’re likely not thinking about natural disasters and if one has impacted a vehicle. However, hurricanes and tropical storms, such as Hurricane Helene, have left thousands of used cars with flood damage.

Even if you’re not in a flood-prone area, you could still end up purchasing a car that has flood damage from a natural disaster and was moved into your area to sell. It can be difficult to determine if your car has flood damage, so keep reading to find out how a natural disaster impacts your new purchase and what to be aware of when buying a car out of state.

Hidden Dangers of Buying a Car Out of State

Flooding can do a lot of damage to cars beyond ruining the seats and flooring. Floodwaters can also have a large impact on the electrical system and internal mechanics, which can lead to maintenance problems and even problems selling the car in the future. 

Here are some of the problems that are common among flood-damaged cars:

Mechanical Problems

Floodwaters can cause metal corrosion, which can damage the battery and exhaust system and speed up the development of rust on the car’s body or undercarriage. If water leaks into the car’s transmission system, it can lead to slow shifting, gear slippage, and other problems. 

Electrical Problems

The electrical system in a car is critical because it powers several components, including windshield wipers, air conditioning or heating, windows, locks, automatic doors, and lighting. Moisture within the headlights, taillights, and turn signals can cause fogging, short-circuiting, and other problems.

Safety Problems

Safety features in the car, such as the antilock braking system or airbags, may not work how they should if the car has been flooded. Damage to the electrical system can cause or worsen these problems. It can also impact the braking system in the car, with brakes and rotors warping or rusting. 

Health Problems

Mold, mildew, or mud on the seats or fabric don’t just look bad — they’re also bad for you, leading to bacteria in the ventilation system and interior contamination that makes the car an unhealthy environment for passengers. 

What To Be Aware of When Buying a Car Out of State

It’s common for vehicles that have been in a natural disaster to be relocated to another state to sell. Additionally, states may treat flood-damaged cars inconsistently. For example, some cars that have had small amounts of damage may be put onto the road without the electrical components being replaced. 

Before buying a car out of state, consider the following things to ensure the vehicle is in good condition:

Timing

Before buying a car, pay attention to the timing and if a natural disaster has occurred recently. Even if a large storm or natural disaster happened thousands of miles away, it may still not be a good idea to buy a car from out of state shortly after the storm occurred.

Vehicle History Report

It’s important to check the vehicle’s history because it can reveal flood damage, accidents, and other issues. For example, on CARFAX, you can run a free flood check on the car you’re considering with just the vehicle identification number and your email address. You’ll also want to ask to see the car’s title to look for a salvage stamp, which can indicate it’s undergone weather damage and an insurance company deemed it a total loss. 

If the company you’re purchasing the car from only has a bill of sale, you’ll want to ask the seller some questions because the title is the official document that states you own the car. If the seller is trying to sell the car without the title, it could indicate that the car isn’t eligible for a title due to being salvaged.

Prepurchase Inspection

If possible, before purchasing, make sure a mechanic you trust does a thorough prepurchase inspection. They’ll know the signs of a flood-damaged vehicle and what to look for.

Red Flags

Some common red flags of a water-damaged vehicle include:

• Musty odor
• Loose, new, or stained carpeting or upholstery that doesn’t match the rest of the vehicle
• Damp carpeting
• Rust around the doors, on pedals, under the dashboard, or inside the hood
• Mud or silt under the seats or in the glove compartment
• Brittle wiring under the dashboard
• Moisture in interior or exterior lights or the instrument panel
• Signs of water stains on the air filter
• Engine oil that looks murky (like a melted chocolate milkshake) — this could mean there’s water in the oil, which can indicate major mechanical problems
• Debris under the hood in the engine bay

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