How to check your car for water damage
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When you're looking for a used car, it's wise to stay away from cars that have been water damaged. Water is the enemy of cars in many ways, causing damage such as: Electrical problems Engine damage Mold and mildew that…
When you're looking for a used car, it's wise to stay away from cars that have been water damaged. Water is the enemy of cars in many ways, causing damage such as:
- Electrical problems
- Engine damage
- Mold and mildew that are difficult to remove
- Premature corrosion and rust
- Seizure of mechanical parts such as wheel bearings
When a vehicle is caught in a flood, its insurance company usually claims total loss. This is because it is expensive to repair submerged vehicles – water damage can drastically affect the life expectancy and reliability of a vehicle. Having a choice, the buyer should always choose a car that has not been damaged by water.
Perhaps when you look at a used car, the seller didn't tell you that the car was water damaged. This may be because:
- The seller is not the original owner and does not know about it
- Seller hides knowledge of water damage
- The vehicle was not insured and water damage after the repair was not disclosed.
Either way, there are a few things you can check to help you determine if a vehicle is water damaged before you buy it.
Method 1 of 5: Check VIN
Get a detailed vehicle history report from a reputable source to check for water damage related title issues.
Step 1: Find the VIN. Obtain a vehicle identification number or VIN.
The VIN is a unique 17-digit number assigned to each vehicle.
It is located on the dashboard on the driver's side, visible through the windshield.
You can also find it on the driver's door pillar and many other body panels.
Another place to find your VIN is in the vehicle name and registration paperwork.
Step 2: Find a reputable vehicle history reporting website.. CARFAX, CarProof and AutoCheck are great sites to check your VIN.
Step 3: Pay for the report. The cost of an individual vehicle history report may vary slightly depending on the site you choose.
Enter your credit card information, or in some cases you may be able to use PayPal.
Step 4: Read the VIN Check Report.
* Look for cases of water damage, the term "flooding" or a title status that refers to "rescue", "recovery" or "total loss".
If the VIN report does not contain any mention of water damage, it is unlikely that the vehicle was badly damaged by water.
- A warning: If the vehicle was not insured when it was hit by water or flooding, it could be repaired by the owner without any consequences for the title. The VIN report may not capture every instance of water damage, but is generally quite useful in identifying water damaged vehicles.
Method 2 of 5: Check for Premature Corrosion
Vehicles that have been flooded or water damaged typically have more severe corrosion or corrosion in unusual locations compared to vehicles in normal conditions.
Step 1: Inspect Electrical Components for Corrosion. Corrosion on electrical components usually appears as white, green, or bluish fuzz on connectors and electrical parts.
Step 2: Check for corrosion in other parts of the vehicle.. Look at the fuse box under the hood, main electrical connectors, chassis ground cables, and computer modules.
- Functions: Corrosion on battery terminals is not a good indicator of water damage. This type of corrosion and deposits can develop under normal conditions.
If there is corrosion on the electrical components, the vehicle may have been water damaged.
Minor corrosion can develop over time, so consider the age of the vehicle when determining if corrosion is excessive.
Step 3: Check for rust on sheet metal. Rusty internal parts are clear signs of water damage.
Step 4: Check Less Obvious Places. Inspect the underside of the hood, trunk lid, spare wheel well and under the seats for rusty metal parts.
Method 3 of 5: Check for electrical problems
Water and electricity are incompatible, so if a car has been damaged by water, electrical repairs are usually required. Some electrical problems show up later or may be intermittent.
Step 1: Check the operation of each electrical system. When you're browsing a used car for sale, make sure the system is working by turning it on and off a few times.
Step 2: Check the Light. Turn on every light, including turn signals, headlights, brake lights, reversing lights, and interior lights, to make sure they work.
The light bulb may burn out, but if the system is not working, a water damage situation may occur.
For example, if the left turn signal is on but does not flash when turned on, the problem may be water related.
Step 3: Check the instrument cluster for problems. If malfunction indicators such as the engine light or ABS light are on, this could be the problem.
Step 4: Check the power controls. Lower each power window and check that each power door lock is working properly.
Step 5: Diagnose any problems. If there are electrical problems, ask the seller to diagnose them before completing the purchase.
They may or may not be water related, but at least you will have an idea of what repairs are needed.
- A warningA: If the seller doesn't want issues addressed, they may be trying to cover up a known issue.
Method 4 of 5: Check upholstery for water stains
Step 1. Check the places. Carefully inspect the seats for abnormal water stains.
A small water ring is usually just a spill, but large water spots can be more of a problem.
Water stains on multiple seats may indicate abnormal water damage.
Step 2: Look for water lines. Look for lines or stains on door panels.
The fabric on the door panel may bulge, indicating a water supply line. Look for similar damage on multiple panels to be sure of water damage.
Step 3. Check the carpets.. Inspect the carpet in the car for water damage.
Small amounts of water or snow on carpets are normal, but if there are spots of water higher up in the footwell, under the seats, or on the carpeted window sills near the doors, it could be water damage.
Carpets can also have silt or dirt from the water.
Step 4: Check out the headliner. In extreme cases, where the vehicle has been submerged in water, the headlining can become wet.
Check for swelling around the edges of the headlining or around the light.
Look for fabric separating and hanging from the foam on the headlining.
Method 5 of 5: Check the mechanical operation of the car
Step 1: Check the condition of all fluids. If there was water in the engine, transmission, or differentials, it can make the oil milky in color and consistency.
Step 2: Test Drive. If the engine runs rough or the transmission shifts poorly, water may have gotten into them at some point. While not necessarily caused by water damage, it's always best to diagnose engine or transmission problems before purchasing.
Set up cruise control when you test drive your car.
Listen for abnormal operating noises.
Screeching or screeching brakes may not be cause for concern, but when combined with other symptoms, they can raise the suspicion of water damage.
As you go through these stages, pay close attention to anything out of the ordinary or out of the ordinary. If you find something else wrong with the car you're checking for water damage, be sure to write it down so you can take it into account when making your purchasing decision. If you prefer a professional inspection of a potential purchase, contact one of AvtoTachki's certified mechanics to have a preliminary inspection and a thorough inspection of the vehicle you are interested in.
