ON YOUR SIDE: Experts share how to avoid getting scammed into a used car with a flooding history

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) - Carfax reports more than 425,000 flooded cars are back on the road. And there are several reasons you want to avoid buying one of them.

When buying a used vehicle, there are many things to consider. You’ll want to look at everything from mileage to general wear and tear. But what if the person you bought it from didn’t disclose flood or severe weather damage? The experts tell KY3 that your best protection is doing your homework.

“Know the history of the car before you buy it,” said John Schaeffer with the Resource Center Insurance. “Don’t want to buy somebody else’s problems.”

When you buy a used car, you check the odometer, brakes, and how the car drives before purchasing. This can show you the value of the vehicle. Experts say you should also look into the accident history. On top of that, if the vehicle has had serious flood damage, it can affect more than just the value.

“If it’s a flood title car, it’s probably gonna have a salvage title with it,” said Schaeffer. “And that would already show up when we do the insurance. When you run the VIN on that car, it will actually show up. That’s a salvage vehicle. And a lot of companies will not insure that. And there are. We have probably four companies that won’t do a salvage title, or they’ll just do liability only.”

On top of the difficulty of finding a company that will actually insure that vehicle, you’ll have issues filing claims. The experts say your best bet is to buy a used car from a reputable dealer. They’ll fulfill the obligation to inform you of prior accidents and repairs. If you go through a private seller, they don’t have to jump through the same hoops for reporting damage. But you can still do your homework there too.

“Now go through Carfax or if you have another reputable company. It’ll show you the disclosure on how many times it’s been to the repair shop if it’s had flood damage, and also the biggest things with used cars, making sure the odometer is correct and matches the Carfax,” said Schaeffer.

Experts with the Better Business Bureau say you should consult an expert if possible.

“It’s worth it to do a pre-purchase inspection if you don’t have a regular mechanic that you depend on and who has worked on your cars previously,” said Khesha Duncan with the Better Business Bureau. “Pay that small fee, or whatever it is, to a mechanic and definitely have a professional mechanic test drive the car with you, look the car over, inspect it thoroughly because they’re the experts, they’re the ones that are going to be able to catch things that you wouldn’t.”

Research that vehicle and ask for a report like the one from Carfax. If you go through a reputable dealer, you’ll get the best protection. Now, if you feel you’ve been scammed, you should reach out to the BBB and the attorney general’s office as soon as possible.

You can use this free database for more information on your vehicle’s VIN.

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