Flooded vehicles are quietly cleaned up and resold every year, and they can look perfectly normal at a glance. Here are five signs to watch for before you buy — and why a professional inspection catches what the eye can't.
1. A musty or overly "fresh" smell
Damp carpets and hidden mould create a musty odour. A strong air-freshener smell can be an attempt to mask it.
2. Water lines and silt
Look for faint tide-mark lines inside the boot, under the seats, and in the engine bay. Check for fine dirt or silt in unusual places like seat rails and wiring channels.
3. Rust in odd places
Surface rust on interior screws, seat brackets, and under the dashboard is a red flag on a relatively new car.
4. Electrical gremlins
Water damages connectors and control modules. Test every electrical feature, and have the car diagnostically scanned for stored fault codes.
5. Mismatched or newly replaced carpets
Fresh carpet in an otherwise worn interior can hide water damage underneath.
Worried a car might be hiding flood damage? Book a professional inspection and get a clear report before you commit.