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4 tips to avoid buying a water-damaged car

Bank rate -- uperstorm Sandy left much devastation across the eastern U.S., but the Northeast isn't the only region that might experience her wrath indirectly. Car buyers throughout the nation could experience Sandy's aftereffects by unknowingly buying a water-damaged car. New and used cars damaged in the flooding caused by Sandy will find their way to the market in the coming weeks and months, leaving buyers to face possible mechanical and electrical problems that can surface months later. Here are four tips to avoid buying a water-damaged car.

Run a vehicle history report. Running a vehicle history report can help uncover potential issues with a car before you make a purchase. A clear sign of a water-damaged car is one that is branded as such or with the more generic "salvage" title. Also look at

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Submitted Nov 11, 2012 By: mastermariner

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,610 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 13, 2012 3:51:09 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse these lists come out after every bad storm.
blupupher Champion Author Houston Posts:3,545 Points:747,070 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Nov 12, 2012 6:35:58 AM Ignore blupupher Report Abuse good reminders
bston Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,815 Points:641,300 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 9:18:45 PM Ignore bston Report Abuse I've read these tips before.
indyjim Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:10,088 Points:2,318,455 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 8:36:57 PM Ignore indyjim Report Abuse Those attempting damaged car sales should be prosecuted and forced to be Obama supporters.
carranco Champion Author Georgia Posts:1,027 Points:269,015 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 8:30:14 PM Ignore carranco Report Abuse Beware of the used car and climate change charlatans alike.
RitaVespa Champion Author Oregon Posts:2,976 Points:791,285 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:34:14 PM Ignore RitaVespa Report Abuse Good points.
SSwathwood All-Star Author Denver Posts:549 Points:776,745 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 5:06:31 PM Ignore SSwathwood Report Abuse Interesting.
peabeax55 All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:713 Points:185,515 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 4:16:43 PM Ignore peabeax55 Report Abuse These are helpful. Came in handy for me buying 2 used cars not long after Katrina.
MrLefty0706 Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,444 Points:351,085 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 3:45:18 PM Ignore MrLefty0706 Report Abuse Buyer beware! Thanks for posting these tips.
eye-spy Champion Author Quebec Posts:4,583 Points:2,416,870 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 2:28:31 PM Ignore eye-spy Report Abuse Thanks for submitting this post "mastermariner".
CVA19 Champion Author Salem Posts:2,393 Points:608,700 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 12:06:35 PM Ignore CVA19 Report Abuse Good information. Kinda glad I live on the Left Coast through this (not that I'm in the market for a used car).
my2002m Champion Author Tulsa Posts:6,069 Points:1,669,325 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 10:44:19 AM Ignore my2002m Report Abuse Good common sense.
clpassenubye Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:3,359 Points:752,605 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 10:21:15 AM Ignore clpassenubye Report Abuse Good advice, I know someone who unknowingly purchased a water damaged car from an auction for what they thought was a good deal they ended up paying more in repairs to the electrical system than the cost of the car and ended up selling it in frustration. If they had only run a vehicle history report at the time of purchase the problem would have been uncovered sooner.
Norm10 Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,342 Points:162,925 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 9:59:58 AM Ignore Norm10 Report Abuse Look for high water marks in the interior and dead fish under the hood.
TXryder Champion Author Texas Posts:2,709 Points:432,730 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 9:06:36 AM Ignore TXryder Report Abuse ok
Lugi1967 Champion Author Ohio Posts:4,783 Points:1,001,270 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 8:52:28 AM Ignore Lugi1967 Report Abuse buyer beware
playtimeCLE Champion Author Cleveland Posts:8,555 Points:1,543,400 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 8:44:19 AM Ignore playtimeCLE Report Abuse My next car will be a new one.
Skunk63 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:2,556 Points:557,500 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 8:29:46 AM Ignore Skunk63 Report Abuse Caveat emptor.
Asbury09 Champion Author Iowa Posts:7,208 Points:1,529,330 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 8:23:09 AM Ignore Asbury09 Report Abuse 4 good bits of advice
bowler360 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,970 Points:498,800 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 8:08:12 AM Ignore bowler360 Report Abuse Thanks for that.
treehood Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,039 Points:395,785 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 8:05:07 AM Ignore treehood Report Abuse OK i'll give BANKRATE one for an informative article.
movietracker All-Star Author Pennsylvania Posts:695 Points:162,390 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 8:01:12 AM Ignore movietracker Report Abuse Good information
Voltus Champion Author Miami Posts:8,456 Points:1,556,375 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 8:00:57 AM Ignore Voltus Report Abuse I have never bought a used car...
lakeaffected Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,265 Points:1,473,780 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:59:38 AM Ignore lakeaffected Report Abuse Be smart
HATinMUNDY Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,677 Points:763,670 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:58:59 AM Ignore HATinMUNDY Report Abuse First and last tip, don't buy used.....
sljbc475 Champion Author Tucson Posts:4,215 Points:871,400 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:58:54 AM Ignore sljbc475 Report Abuse Get the Car Facts!
taxiken Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:5,940 Points:1,545,775 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:58:15 AM Ignore taxiken Report Abuse Ok.
gabbygusIN Champion Author Indiana Posts:7,231 Points:1,558,900 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:57:13 AM Ignore gabbygusIN Report Abuse Good info
Hangnail309 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:6,019 Points:1,676,205 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:56:15 AM Ignore Hangnail309 Report Abuse he old axiom applies, "buyer beware" ...
scrossi Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,879 Points:1,047,515 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:55:29 AM Ignore scrossi Report Abuse True tutaw.
me2002 All-Star Author Toledo Posts:763 Points:319,205 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:55:17 AM Ignore me2002 Report Abuse ok
nstrdnvstr Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:36,846 Points:3,983,980 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:55:12 AM Ignore nstrdnvstr Report Abuse Carfax will be the way to go for this.
bladecutter Champion Author Houston Posts:4,851 Points:983,100 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:55:09 AM Ignore bladecutter Report Abuse Good info.
Voltus Champion Author Miami Posts:8,456 Points:1,556,375 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:52:48 AM Ignore Voltus Report Abuse not buying at this time...
FocusGuy Champion Author Seattle Posts:7,052 Points:1,411,780 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:52:17 AM Ignore FocusGuy Report Abuse i am 76 and have never bought a used car. thats how
broken80530 Champion Author Denver Posts:3,140 Points:732,425 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:51:27 AM Ignore broken80530 Report Abuse The government will come out with a department and a Zaar to overlook that issue. Since the Cash for Clunkers took thousands of good recycleable cars and parts off the market they will come up with some government program/scam to protect the people!
Hi1 Champion Author Ontario Posts:4,850 Points:1,723,635 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:51:04 AM Ignore Hi1 Report Abuse Be very careful have it check.
tutaw Champion Author Kentucky Posts:3,595 Points:841,770 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:50:55 AM Ignore tutaw Report Abuse guess car fax will gain more business now
mswillia Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:2,628 Points:571,925 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:50:37 AM Ignore mswillia Report Abuse it is sad, there are not a lot of used cars on the market and these will seem like deals.
ace07 Champion Author Utah Posts:2,457 Points:663,675 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:50:32 AM Ignore ace07 Report Abuse Due diligence.
BillHeatherL Champion Author Alberta Posts:7,638 Points:1,923,655 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:49:13 AM Ignore BillHeatherL Report Abuse read the fine print
AcuraTSX Champion Author Ohio Posts:5,489 Points:2,181,155 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:48:40 AM Ignore AcuraTSX Report Abuse Have it inspected.
rippertoo Champion Author Tacoma Posts:5,750 Points:1,140,860 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:47:47 AM Ignore rippertoo Report Abuse Let the buyer beware.
trugasCA Champion Author California Posts:3,854 Points:160,230 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:47:07 AM Ignore trugasCA Report Abuse I did get Carfax on my used car. No wrecks or anything on it tho. Clean report. Interesting. Got it from a chevy dealer, who had gotten it from another state and that was a surprise.
gasman50 Champion Author Portland Posts:8,839 Points:2,408,510 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:47:04 AM Ignore gasman50 Report Abuse Snakes, watch for snakes..........
2khawk Champion Author Iowa Posts:5,254 Points:927,050 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:45:50 AM Ignore 2khawk Report Abuse Look for bite marks from sharks.
atdinut Champion Author California Posts:1,608 Points:353,985 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:45:41 AM Ignore atdinut Report Abuse buyer be ware!
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:10,532 Points:1,857,395 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:44:47 AM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse I buy new cars, no more used cars for me.
MarAzul Champion Author London Posts:3,776 Points:678,735 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:44:21 AM Ignore MarAzul Report Abuse Good article.
trekmanKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,095 Points:358,235 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Nov 11, 2012 7:44:12 AM Ignore trekmanKY Report Abuse This is good to know about this!