If you are in the market for buying a used car, proceed with caution. Although there are a number of good, used vehicles out there, there are also a number of vehicles that may have been damaged by recent floods. Before you sign and seal the deal, here are a few things that you might want to do to avoid get stuck with a flood damaged vehicle:
• Inspect the vehicle thoroughly, using sight, smell, and touch for ruling out potential problems. Vehicles that have been damaged by a flood may have brittle electrical wires, rust, upholstery and carpeting that smells musty or looks faded, or might have areas in the trunk or under the hood that have silt, mud, or stains.
• Consider taking the car to a qualified mechanic who can assess the vehicle and provide a professional opinion of any potential problems.
• Do a search of the car’s title to find out if it has been involved in a flood or accident.
• Make sure to look at the title to see if it has been branded in any way as a salvaged or as a flood vehicle, and ask the owner if any updates need to be made to the title to reflect any damage.
Although most vehicles are sold as is, sellers have a responsibility to disclose the condition of the vehicle prior to sale. For more information or assistance with buying a used car, contact the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.