The New Brunswick government is warning residents to be careful about buying vehicles that could have been damaged by floodwaters during hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
The province’s Financial and Consumer Services Commission has issued a consumer alert, saying some the 650,000 vehicles flooded during the hurricanes in Texas and Florida could make their way north of the border.
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“Water causes extensive damage to a vehicle and it is expected that many of these water-damaged vehicles will be disposed of by insurers so they cannot be resold,” the notice reads.
“However, water-damaged vehicles are often moved far from their original location following a large storm, and sold to unsuspecting drivers.”
The commission reminds New Brunswickers that water damage can go beyond rust, and impact important mechanical and electronic systems.
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“A car that has been flooded may appear to be in perfect condition, but could start having problems in the future, as water damage may take a long time to appear,” the commission said.
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In order to avoid buying a vehicle that has been damaged by flooding, the commission recommends New Brunswickers purchase their car from a registered dealership since they have an obligation to disclose if a car has sustained water damage. Shoppers should also use the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s VIN Verify Service to check if a vehicle has been deemed “non-repairable.”
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The commission also suggests shoppers use a service to check the vehicle’s history and damage records and to avoid vehicles sold below market value.
“If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is,” the commission advised.
The commission also compiled a list of common indicators of a flood-damaged vehicle:
Interior and exterior of the vehicle:
- A musty odour in the interior, which can sometimes be covered with a strong air-freshener or shampoo. If there is a strong scent of air or fabric freshener make sure it is not masking a more serious scent.
- Upholstery or carpeting which is mismatched, loose, new, or stained.
- Damp carpets. If you can, try lifting the carpet to check for damp padding under the carpet.
- Moisture, sitting water, or debris in the trunk or spare tire area.
- Rust around doors, inside the hood and trunk latches, pedals, on unfinished metal surfaces (like the springs and bolts under the seats), or under the dashboard.
- Bubbling of paint in areas that are not exposed to weather.
- Mud or silt in the glove compartment or under seats.
- Brittle wires under the dashboard.
- Fog or moisture beads in the interior or exterior lights or instrument panel.
- Seat mounting screws that have been tampered with in an effort to dry the carpets.
Under the hood:
- Water lines in the engine compartment.
- Silt and sand in nooks and crannies.
- Check the oil – even a small amount of water in the oil will make it murky.
- Check the air filter – if there are water stains on the paper filter walk away.
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