Hello All,

How do I tell if a car has been flooded? Any practical methods/tips will be greatly appreciated.

Much thanks,
Lih-Yen

Check under the driver's side seat. If you feel a dead fish or if a crab snaps its claws at your hand, then yes, the automobile has been in a flood.

In the 200 series, remove the access cover to the fuel sending unit. More difficult in the wagons than the sedans. Other models I'm not sure how difficult.

There will be some dirt and small particles if not in a flood. A layer of dried mud if in a flood. The difference will be very evident. The one place that cannot be cleaned without dropping the tank is the top of the fuel tank. And if they try to spray across the top of the tank, the dirt and water ends up in the sender access recesses anyway.

This is one thing you want to do someplace other than in front of the seller.

Having the car checked out by your mechanic should allow you to drive the car someplace out of their view.

Duane

Thanks for the tips. But I fail to understand why I should avoid doing this in front of the seller, if he has nothing to hide.

BTW/FYI, this is for a 940T I bought on eBay from a fairly reputable dealer, and it had been clearly comunicated before I entered my bid that should evidence of flood (not just damages) be found than there will be no deal.

Thanks,
Lih-Yen

Economics and process in the used auto "market" induces an incentive to market anything any way possible. Reputable or not, all dealers are subject to the worst case when dealing with used autos.

All dealers pay X for used cars on the wholesale lot. They then ATTEMPT to sell them at 5X to 6X. That is how the money is made. Even if the buyer talk down to 3x, good money is made.

Now, take any auto, get it for salvage cost (NOT INSURANCE TOTALED COST) which is usually less than $100 if in running shape. Spend $200 to "clean it up" then sell it on the wholesale market for $1000 to 2000, or for $5000 to $6000 retail if it is popular and in demand.

The dealer you buy it from may be reputable by his say so. Who he bought the auto from may not be. He may have bought it from some other dealer in the wholesale market who is not as honest as he says he is.

If the dealer is not the honest type, by opening up the cover in front of the dealer, you will have given the unknown dealer another area to "clean up" before he puts the auto on the market.

For those of you who wonder where I get my figures for the wholesale to retail markup, check with your bank and compare the difference between the Blue Book and the Black book values of the same auto. The Black book values are about two to two and one-half times the wholesale selling price.

At this time due to the various Gulf Coast disasters, any auto anywhere in the country is to be suspect unless you can verify the previous owner ( by actually talking with them) never was in the storms.

Duane

Pull up the carpets/padding and check for sediments. They may go to the extent of removing an interior to dry it out, but not so likely to wipe it all clean afterwards.

-- Kane
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While I would never deliberately mislead anyone, take into consideration that any info and advice was provided at no cost to you.