NORTH TEXAS (WBAP/KLIF News) – In the coming weeks and months, insurance companies will declare lots of vehicles damaged by flooding from Tropical Storm Harvey as total losses.
However, those cars could be re-titled and sold to un-suspecting buyers.
“The Car Pro Show” host Jerry Reynolds is advising prospective car buyers to take their times, get some comps and do their homework.
“Always get a history report either Car Fax or Auto Check, those are the two that I use, and make sure there was no insurance claim filed for flood damage,” he said.
He said buyers should also have the car thoroughly checked inside and out by an expert.
“You can never erase everything when a car gets water inside. You want to look in unobvious places such as under the spare tire or under the seats to see if there’s any signs of mud or even rust,” he said.
While flood damage to a vehicle is not ideal, Reynolds said it’s still safe to buy a car with minor flood damage.
“If it’s carpet level and down, everything can be replaced and everything can be fine,” he said.
Reynolds said if the water got into the dashboard, it’s likely the car will totaled.
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