Watch out for flood-damaged vehicles hitting the market
What to look out for so you don't buy a flood-damaged car.
What to look out for so you don't buy a flood-damaged car.
Electronics are easily damaged in a flood and if water has entered the inside of a vehicle, insurance companies are likely to write off a car rather than invest in fixing it. There is no robust system in place however, to stop uninsured flood-damaged vehicles from being sold.
Some flood-damaged cars may look and work okay now, but once a few months have passed, it could be a different story as corrosion takes place.
Between 1 and 22 February 2023, 524 vehicles were added to Waka Kotahi, New Zealand Transport Agency’s register as write-offs with water damage.
Other countries have seen flood-damaged vehicles being offloaded to unsuspecting buyers.
Even if you don’t live near an area that flooded, you still need to be vigilant. Flood-damaged cars can be transported around the country to locations where consumers will be less aware of the warning signs to look for.
If you’re from an area affected by a flood and have a car that wasn’t damaged, be aware that buyers might suspect it was. Have a mechanic inspect your car before you put it up for sale so that you can present potential buyers with a clean bill of health.
Got a problem with a faulty product, received shoddy service or been misled by a retailer? Our expert advisers can provide clear, practical advice that you can trust.
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