Beware when buying flood-damaged vehicles

With all the flooding we’ve had here in Iowa this year, many used cars that you see up for sale could be flood-damaged. If you’re looking to buy a car, you’ll want to take precautions because a flood-damaged vehicle can present a safety hazard.

Most used car dealers can be trusted to share information about a car’s history, but not every dealer will give you all the details. In addition, some dealers may not know if a car is flood-damaged.

To protect yourself against buying a flood-damaged car that you may not want or paying too much for one you do want, Iowa’s Attorney General offers these suggestions:

** Have the vehicle inspected by an independent auto technician and body shop before making an offer.

** Test drive the vehicle and look it over closely. Is there corrosion around the engine? Does it smell musty? Is the trunk damp?

** Check the vehicle’s history online at www.VehicleHistory.gov. You can also buy reports from companies such as Autocheck or Carfax.  

If you discover that you unknowingly bought a vehicle with significant past damage, contact the Iowa Attorney General’s Office at 888-777-4590, or file a complaint online at www.IowaAttorneyGeneral.gov.