HAGERSTOWN, MD- Sandy's waters have transformed hundreds of thousands of vehicles into buyer-beware cars.
"Estimates are that there are going to be 600,000 after this storm which is even more than when Katrina came," says Frank Mullins, Used Sales Manager at Hagerstown Ford.
The images of flooded cars were shocking at first, but have become all too familiar in the days after the storm.
Now car dealers are urging consumers to be extra cautious when purchasing a used-car
"A flooded car is almost like having cancer," says Mullins. "It's like a silent killer you, don't always know you have it because you can't see it."
Always ask for Carfax and Auto Check, they get the zip codes of where the flooding happened and find all the registered cars in that area.
Although some people may get rid of water marks there are still other ways to check if you're buying a flooded car.
"It's the places that you can't see," says Mullins. "Look under the dash look for wiring that looks like its been wet or recently replaced, that sort of things."
A couple of ways to check for flooded cars are to look under the pedal area for unusual erosion and carefully look at the interior for any discoloration that may have been caused by water.
"Don't let it scare you from purchasing a car just ask the questions and make sure you get answers," says Mullins.
Car dealers say the flooded cars will start making their way to used-cars lots as early as January.
"Estimates are that there are going to be 600,000 after this storm which is even more than when Katrina came," says Frank Mullins, Used Sales Manager at Hagerstown Ford.
The images of flooded cars were shocking at first, but have become all too familiar in the days after the storm.
Now car dealers are urging consumers to be extra cautious when purchasing a used-car
"A flooded car is almost like having cancer," says Mullins. "It's like a silent killer you, don't always know you have it because you can't see it."
Always ask for Carfax and Auto Check, they get the zip codes of where the flooding happened and find all the registered cars in that area.
Although some people may get rid of water marks there are still other ways to check if you're buying a flooded car.
"It's the places that you can't see," says Mullins. "Look under the dash look for wiring that looks like its been wet or recently replaced, that sort of things."
A couple of ways to check for flooded cars are to look under the pedal area for unusual erosion and carefully look at the interior for any discoloration that may have been caused by water.
"Don't let it scare you from purchasing a car just ask the questions and make sure you get answers," says Mullins.
Car dealers say the flooded cars will start making their way to used-cars lots as early as January.
