U.S. Auto Connection

What to Do if You have a Hurricane Damaged Car

National disasters like Hurricane Harvey often bring the very best out in people, inspiring them to pull together to help others in need. The automotive industry is no different, with dealerships, shops and even parts stores donating millions in aid.

At U.S. Auto Connection, we saw this story and decided to share it with our readers in Houston, TX and all over the country.

Most companies are willing to help out during hurricanes and other weather-related tragedies, but unfortunately there are some dishonest folks out there who will take advantage of others. When it comes to hurricane-damaged vehicles, price-gouging is a commonplace scam that always rears its ugly head every time there's a hurricane or serious storm.

With an estimated 270,000 hurricane-damaged cars that are already on our roads from previous storms, this number is scary. When flooded cars hit the market, customers all over the country get taken to the cleaners by  unscrupulous sellers. It’s surprisingly easy for them to make a series of quick and simple cosmetic repairs to conceal the obvious marks of any type of flood damage.

To make certain that you're not buying a hurricane damaged vehicle, an extremely comprehensive inspection is a smart idea when shopping for any pre-owned car or truck, but it’s even more important if you suspect that the vehicle was in a flood.

Luckily, there are a handful of decipherable signs of water damage that you can look for whenever inspecting a used vehicle. If the car has debris and dirt under the seats, in the door-panel storage area or in the glove compartment, there's a good chance that it was in a flood. Also, close the car's windows and take a deep breath to check for any lingering wet or musty stench. If the car smells too good, be wary, because sneaky sellers are prone to use an air freshener or other products to mask offensive odors.

Other dishonest sellers will replace damp and malodorous carpeting with fresh carpeting and padding, so if a car's upholstery or carpeting doesn’t fit right or match properly, be careful. Also check to make sure that there isn't any moisture and condensation on the inside of the vehicle's cabin lights or right behind the instrument panel. By being thorough and knowing what to look for, you will hopefully avoid purchasing a car that was damaged in a hurricane or flood.

Sources: YouTube, Google and Yahoo