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Consumer Reports Deputy Online Auto Editor Jeff Bartlett offers tips for how to spot a car that may have flood damage from Hurricane Sandy.
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Meanwhile major flood damage to dealerships could -- she used car prices up three person that.
This according to a new report which says price hikes will be especially sharp among used luxury cars.
And what's more concerning is many buyers might not even be aware their purchasing one of these flood damage cars.
Joining me now Jeff Bartlett deputy online auto editor for consumer reports he Jeff thanks for coming on tonight you know this becomes a big problem after a big storm and it's not just.
Dealership cars that could pose a problem it's also the ones of people try to put on that secondary market.
How do you know if a car has been damaged in this storm.
-- absolutely right with hundreds of thousands of vehicles being flood damage -- water damaged in some way.
Buyers in these regions -- have to be extra careful when they're shopping for our.
They're next car.
It really comes down to a very careful inspection.
There are many things that a consumer can look for the probably the best protection is to make sure the cars looked at by a professional and independent mechanic.
Are well I will go through your list now because it's up on the screen of course it -- wet -- -- bloody carpet walk away right.
But you also say there's some things that are a little more subtle to look for like -- mount -- screws that might have been removed tell me about that.
That's right if the car as it -- been cleaned.
It's gonna look pretty good at a glance but where it shows the flood damage is really in the details something like the -- mounting screws are real telltale -- from the factory -- -- look perfect and pristine.
But those seats were likely removed if the car had a wet interiors -- could be drives you want to look for signs screwdrivers scratch the paint there how why -- you wanna look at that the headlights in the tail lights.
-- -- if that the cars and deep water.
Water will seep into the light slack should leave a bit of a water line inside you say they can also be one on the engine right.
That's right.
If you popped the hood and take a look in the engine compartment you can often find.
Indication of dirt or water line in in the hard to reach places like at the back of the signs of the engine.
And he's I like this you say rest on screw heads under the dashboard look for that.
Right the all the fasteners in the outside of the car of course can be protected against -- but those in the inside typically aren't.
Now -- under the -- you might find something are are there laws protecting me.
Well there are laws out there to protect consumers but they're not perfect.
Insurance companies states junk yards.
When they come across a car that has been significantly damage are subject to -- They're supposed to report it into the national motor vehicle.
Title information system and this is a database.
That is then used for vehicle history reports but I can't access that as a consumer and find out of the car I'm about to buy.
Has been through this storm.
What you can access the database -- a number of vendors.
And you can even access -- is similar compilation from a another organization.
Of the national insurance crime bureau.
Hi this -- also presents similar felt but it's for -- I like free free works for me.
You know I think at the end of the day some people might find it better that they're better off buying a new car rather than -- used car.
If they're concerned about this overhang of a damaged cars out there what do you make of that.
Well that may be a real option for many people I I think buying a used car in the months ahead in these regions you're gonna have to be really careful.
Buying new carry certain protections.
Now of course -- car's covered by bumper to bumper warranty you have thirty day protection in most states.
And you also -- assurance that.
It is new and hasn't been through hopefully anything to severe.
But that being said you should give -- a close look just in case higher grade this was a big problem after Katrina that so many cars out there.
There were on the market people were trying to the -- says.
As used and they -- Jeff thanks for coming on tonight and telling us that.
How to make sure we don't get taken appreciate it my pleasure.
