drive
Surprisingly, it is not illegal to sell
a flood-damaged vehicle and put it
back on the road south of the border.
CARFAX estimates there are more
than 325,000 such vehicles in circu-
lation. It is illegal, however, to bring it
into Canada, unless it is solely for the
purpose of selling its parts. Canada
Border Service officers actively look
for flood damage on vehicles being
brought into the country for sale, and
they’ll declare them inadmissible if
they fail an inspection.
But some damaged vehicles still find
their way onto Manitoba roads. The
cars may look good and they’ll likely
run well—for a while. “If the price is
too good to be true, it probably is. You
may have to really look at it carefully,”
Smiley says.
To identify a damaged car, get a free
CARFAX report (flood.carfax.com)
to see if the vehicle has ever been
reported damaged by water. You’ll
need the VIN to search its history.
When shopping for a car in person,
look for signs of rust or mud in the
trunk, glove box and under the seats.
And pop the hood to check for a possi-
ble water line marked by mud or silt.
Touch and smell the interior and
How to avoid buying a vehicle that’s been
note damp spots or musty odours.
affected by floods and water damage
Look for dried mud under the mats.
By mark richardson
Do carpets and mats look new and
do they not quite match other uphol-
stery? This could be a sign that soggy
made of the damage.
with harvey, irma and maria ripping
mats have been replaced.
It’s a risky proposition for buyers.
through the U.S. last year, one thing is
Check the operation of all electrical
As water and electronics obviously
clear: Flooding is a fact of life. In their
components, including lights, radio,
don’t mix, flooded vehicles have
wakes, these hurricanes and other
windshield wipers,
an increased risk of
water-related events left hundreds of
windows and ventila-
electrical problems.
thousands of cars damaged by water.
“If the price
tion fans. Examine the
“Electrical components,
It’s illegal to bring a flood-damaged
is too good to
instrument panel and
like the wiring harness
car into Canada for sale, but that
interior and exterior
and other electronic
doesn’t mean it can’t happen.
be true, it
lights, checking for fog
systems, could be affected
“Many of these flood vehicles were
probably is.
or moisture beads.
down the road,” Smiley
brand new on dealer lots,” says Brian
You may have
If all seems well, get the
says. “Your electronic car
Smiley, spokesperson for Manitoba
to really look at car thoroughly inspected
locks might even stop
Public Insurance. “Many had very
by a trusted mechanic at
working.”
few kilometres, so they’re going to
it carefully.”
your local CAA Approved
Even worse, mold can
look very good. They’re typically sold
Auto Repair Services (AARS) facility.
develop on fabrics and bacteria in the
at auctions, after which they move
If you get the green light, hit the road
ventilation system. These substances
around the United States and into
in your flood-free car.
are very harmful to breathe and can
other areas.” Flooded cars might also
never be completely removed. “A mold
be privately owned and not insured:
issue won’t appear right away, but it
Their American owners just dry them
To find an AARS facility:
could show up in a year,” Smiley adds.
and sell them with no record ever
caamanitoba.com/aars
28
Spring 2018
cAA MAniTOBA
The Flood of
Flood-Damaged Cars