How To Spot A Car With Water Damage After Hurricane Irma

MIAMI, FL — With so many cars damaged by Hurricane Irma and other weather-related events, it's likely that some of these vehicles will find their way onto a used car lot near you. Patch asked AAA for some tips on how to avoid getting hit by the same storm twice. All it takes is a little research and a keen sense of smell.

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AAA's Josh Carrasco told Patch that it's difficult to completely hide water damage if a vehicle has been under water. (For more hurricane news or local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Miami Patch, and click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

"Many parts of a car are difficult to clean and dry because they are hard to access. Door locks, window mechanisms, wiring harnesses, heating and air conditioning components and many other small devices are tucked away in hidden spaces," he said. "Initially, these items may operate properly following a flood only to fail at a later date due to contamination."

Watch: Hurricane Irma's Destructive Journey By The Numbers

He said the car’s electrical system is particularly vulnerable to water damage.

"Engine computers, sensors and other electrical devices can sometimes be salvaged but unless they are thoroughly cleaned and dried, problems caused by corrosion and oxidation may occur months after the flood," according to Carrasco.

AAA offers the following tips for spotting a car with water damage:

• Obtain a CARFAX Vehicle History Report – This report can potentially reveal if the vehicle has been involved in a flood, major accident, fire, or uncover odometer fraud.
• Engage your sense of smell to detect any damp or musty odors inside the vehicle.
• Has the carpet or upholstery been replaced or recently shampooed? Pullback the carpet at different areas and look for mud, dirt or signs of water stains.
• Inspect the dashboard underside for signs of mud and dirt. This is a particularly hard area to clean.
• Look under the vehicle for corrosion. It is uncommon to find corrosion in newer vehicles and those that are owned or sold in southern states.
• Open all doors, hood, and trunk to inspect for corrosion, mud and dirt or discoloration on the door frames, hinges and under the weather stripping. Pay special attention to small spaces and crevices that are difficult to clean.
• Check all warning lights, window motors, and all electrical components to ensure they are working properly. While a non-working part alone does not mean the vehicle was flooded, it combined with other difficulties is a cause for concern.

A car sits in a flooded street as Hurricane Irma passes through Miami on Sept. 10. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images