Drivers warned to avoid costly repair bills as 89k damaged vehicles may be headed to used car lots – 4 parts to inspect

DRIVERS have been urged to check four key parts ahead of buying a used car as 89,000 damaged vehicles could be set to hit lots shortly.

Missing any of these easy checks could leave you stuck with a “lemon” and liable for hefty costs.

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The US has been battered over the past week by Hurricane Helene, which brought winds of over 100mph and torrential rain.

Communities across south-eastern states like Florida and the Carolinas are still recovering from the storm’s devastating impact.

Almost 100 people have been confirmed dead while towns have been all but washed away in floods, with the city of Asheville, NC still largely cut off from the outside world.

But once the clear-up effort gets underway, drivers will have to be aware of the potential of flood-damaged cars making their way into second-hand showrooms.

Carfax, a vehicle data company, suggest that as many as 89,000 vehicles have sustained water damage in this year’s flooding across the nation.

Spotting these run-down bangers can be tricky, especially if a dodgy dealer has taken the time to properly clean it up.

But if you end up buying one you could find yourself dealing with some funky smells at best and costly breakdowns at worst.

And it’s not just a problem in coastal towns.

Patrick Olsen, Carfax CEO, told ABC Action News: “It’s very common for scammers to go into areas where there has been flooding.

“They will offer cash incentives to owners to seel their car that’s been flood damaged.

“In places like Utah or Illinois or Minnesota, we see relatively high numbers, because it’s easier to sell them in areas where it’s not at the top of the buyer’s mind to think about flooding”.

Fortunately, Matt Overbeck, who runs Overbeck Auto Services, was on hand to teach drivers what to look out for.

First of all, he recommended checking the carpeting throughout the car, particularly under the seats and floor mats.

These are some of the hardest areas to properly dry out so a build-up of moisture there can reveal flood damage.

Likewise, the headlights and brake lights are a good indicator.

If the bulb is misted up or has water droplets condensing on its surface, it likely means there is water trapped inside.

The only real way to solve this is to replace the entire lamp, which can cost hundreds.

What makes a car a lemon?

Each law has different parameters on what defines a lemon, but generally, a car is lemon when it’s in the shop for longer than it’s on the road.

Progressive Auto Insurance describes a lemon as a car with “a significant defect or malfunction that makes it unsafe to drive,” though exact parameters vary by state. All 50 states have lemon laws covering new vehicles, but only seven have lemon laws to protect used car buyers.

Federally, however, consumers are protected under U.S. Code Chapter 50 covering consumer product warranties. In layman’s terms, the law dictates that consumers be compensated by the manufacturer when “multiple attempts to repair a vehicle under warranty fail.”

What to do if you think you bought a lemon:

1. Research your state’s lemon laws and their exact parameters.
2. Contact the dealership, especially if it’s still under factory warranty.
3. If the dealership refuses to repair the issue, contact the Automotive Consumer Action Program or the National Automobile Dealers Association.
4. Send a certified letter to the manufacturer with an explanation of the issue, with documentation and proof that you’ve contacted a dealership.
5. Depending on the outcome, you can report the dealership to the DMV for selling a car that needs immediate repairs.
6. Consider small claims court.
7. Consult an attorney specializing in lemon law through the National Association of Consumer Advocates.

Source: Progressive Auto Insurance

A third hotspot for water is the spare wheel bay, usually found under the trunk floor.

When a vehicle is flooded, water will often pool in the wheel rim, which can go unnoticed if drying the trunk in a hurry.

Finally, as a last line of defence, Matt suggested pulling out the plastic panel below the glove compartment.

This contains some padding which, if damp, can show that water found its way into the cabin.