In New Jersey, we’re no strangers to the travails of hurricanes. At the five-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy, we’re keeping our neighbors in Houston and Puerto Rico in mind as they grapple with the devastation of recent hurricanes. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t have to stay vigilant right here at home. At our used car dealer in New Jersey, shoppers looking for used cars have to keep an eye out for models that were damaged in recent flooding. Let us tell you what to look for!
Get a More-Than-Once Over
When you’re looking at a used car, truck, van, or SUV, there are some more immediate telltale signs that should send up red flags. A musty smell, rust spots, and a lot of water stains on the upholstery are a few of the cosmetic clues. Put the windows up and run the air conditioner. If the air coming out smells mildewy, ditch it.
Keep in mind that modern cars have a lot of electronic parts and computerized components. It’s more than just power windows at this point. It’s also rearview cameras, climate control, and maintenance monitors. New Jersey used car shoppers would do well to avoid flood cars because those features can be heavily damaged and even disabled by the floodwater. That’s why, when you go for a test drive, test all the electronic features.
The Paper Trail
As difficult as it is to believe, it’s legal to sell flood-damaged vehicles, though its status as a “flood vehicle” has to be clear, by putting those words in the title. However, because that makes a vehicle more difficult to sell, take a look at the vehicle history report for a sign: a series of title transfers in rapid succession in multiple states. That indicates an attempt to bury its status as it traveled from flooded states all the way here.
Visit New Jersey State Auto today, where we provide transparent vehicle histories of every hand-selected model in our inventory. We’ll find a high-quality vehicle for you to drive for years to come!