First-Time Used Car Buying Tips – Beware of Flood-Damaged Vehicles

As first-time used car buyers, you will naturally be oblivious to a lot of used car scams. And one of the worst things that happen to most first-time buyers in South Carolina is that they end up buying flood-damaged vehicles without the slightest knowledge of the same. Flood-damaged vehicles carry salvage titles. That is, insurance companies mark them as “lost cause” or in a state that is beyond repair. Naturally, when you buy such used cars (which often come quite cheap), you sign up for a host of problems that dot your daily lives. The electrical components do not work. The mechanical parts also fail. Ultimately, such cars become a health hazard after having claimed a good chunk of your bank savings.

Hence, as first-time buyers, it is always suggested that you stick to reputed dealerships like Family Auto of Berea who do not deal with flood-damaged vehicles at all. But if you happen to end up somewhere else and are unsure of whether the used car you like is flood-damaged or not, run yourself through the following steps.

1.Check the vehicle’s history with a paid service

If a used car had stood in flood and eventually ended up with an insurance company, then the information will be available in some database. And you can fish it out by running the vehicle’s VIN through a paid service and getting a comprehensive report on its history. This is exactly what Family Auto car dealerships do while absorbing cars into their fleet as a quality-check measure. The amount you spend to run the history will seem paltry against the costs that will come your way should you end up with a flood-damaged vehicle.

2.Have an expert mechanic look under the hood

Often, used car owners do not have comprehensive insurance plans and insurance companies do not receive claims against flood-damage. These vehicles then do not get recorded in the database and move into the market via title washing. So, in no way can you figure out whether such a vehicle was flood-damaged or not but an expert mechanic can look under the hood, check the alternator for grit or caked mud and confirm your hunch. While selling flood-damaged vehicles, most owners do not bother to clean under the hood to such depths as it is cost-intensive. This is your opportunity to detect.

3.Keep an eye out for visible water-damage signs

Quality Family Auto carswill look and smell new from every angle. Your gut will tell you that nothing is wrong. However, if you look at flood-damaged vehicles, you can see clear signs of the anomaly provided you know where to look. One, the cabin of the car will carry a moldy foul smell like a marsh. Next, you can find water lines on the car’s body, head and tail lamps, and the grille. Plus, there will be clear watermarks on the upholstery or you will find new mats and seat covers in a fairly old car. Lastly, the dangerously low price will indicate damage in some form. If all these check out, walk out of the deal.

Budget can be your issue. Or, you may have bad credit and banks are refusing your loan. No matter what the reason you are looking for affordable cars, avoid taking the cheapest deal on offer. Family Auto buy here pay here dealership is your answer to all. Here, you get bad credit financing, quality cars of all ranges, and backed by 2 years/36,000 miles warranty. You simply cannot go wrong with Family Auto. Steer clear of shady dealers. Buy your first used car right. And even if you gather all the car-buying experience, there is no excuse to not buy from a top dealer.