When you’re in the market to buy a used car, it seems there’s no end to things you need to check to make sure that you aren’t buying a lemon. It’s no secret that water and electronics don’t mix. Knowing the signs of water damage in cars can help you avoid the long-term costs of accidentally buying a dud.
Signs of Water Damage in Cars
Unfortunately, a VIN check doesn’t always tell you if a car has been water damaged. The previous owner could be deliberately hiding the damage or may not know that the vehicle ever experienced water damage. In addition, water damage that was not reported to the insurance company may not show up on a VIN check.
Whatever the reason, a physical inspection can not only check that the vehicle has not experienced water damage, it can help identify upcoming repairs that may be needed to keep the car in good working condition. Here are our top tips to watch for when you’re looking for water damage in a vehicle.
1. The Cabin Has a Strange Smell
Used cars can hold onto a lot of smells from their previous owners. Pets, cigarettes, gym bags, and old spilled food or drink can lead to unpleasant odors.
Water damage in a car leaves a distinct, musty, mildew smell that doesn’t go away no matter how many air fresheners you add or how long the windows are open.
2. There is a Visible Water Line in the Cabin
A car that has sat in water for any amount of time may have a visible watermark on the upholstery or in the footwells.
Similarly, a car that has been submerged for an extended amount of time may have a water line visible on the exterior of the vehicle due to paint fading.
3. The Electronics Have Unexplained Problems
Shorts, skips, and buttons that don’t work like they should are all signs of problems in a vehicle’s electronic system.
Be sure to test out the candidate vehicle’s electronics to make sure that everything is in good order before you make a purchase.
4. You Notice Rust or Corrosion on the Vehicle
Vehicles that have been in northern climates often have rust on the undercarriage or near the wheel wells due to the salt used to de-ice the roads during winter.
Exposure to salt water isn’t the only thing that can rust a vehicle’s undercarriage prematurely. Rust can develop on a car that has been submerged. Check for signs of corrosion in the engine, especially on connections and wires. Inspect the bottom of the vehicle and take note of any visible corrosion.
T3 Atlanta Can Check for Signs of Water Damage in Cars
If you’re in the market for a new used Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, or Infiniti and want a third-party inspection on the vehicle, call T3 Atlanta. We’ll inspect your potential new car for water damage. We’ll also give you an overview of the condition of the vehicle and advise you of any repairs or red flags we see. We’re happy to help save you the hassle of buying a car that costs you more than it’s worth.
The short answer about whether car airbags can be replaced is that it depends. Some vehicles have curtain or side airbags which further complicate the question. Some newer cars even have knee or rear airbags to reduce your chances of injury during a collision.
Newer vehicles are equipped with airbags that do not expire, or at least, not quite. The airbags are designed to last for the life of the vehicle.
Older vehicles generally feature airbags that work on a different system – if they have airbags at all. The first airbags appeared in the 1970’s. With the technology being so new, manufacturers at the time were uncertain how long airbags could last and still be effective.
Buying a car is an investment, so it’s important that you do your research before you buy. The more informed you are, the better equipped you are to spot problems with candidates.
In addition to these more general research points, you should also take an in-depth look at the specific vehicle you plan to purchase. A car that has a lot of repairs, especially if they appear to be for the same thing, is at an increased chance at being a potential lemon.
While you may not be able to identify mechanical problems on your own, a visual inspection can still tell you a lot about the car. Check the inside and outside of the car to look for engine, structural, and water damage that can cause long-term problems. Of these, water damage is by far the worst from a long-term cost standpoint. After all, water and mechanical parts don’t mix!
After-market accessories like mufflers, electronics, speakers, or other electrical system add-ons might sound attractive, but there are a lot of hidden dangers with these neat extras.
There’s nothing like the excitement of new car ownership crashing to a stop because of an unexpected repair bill. T3 Atlanta recommends that you have any vehicle that you are strongly considering inspected before you buy. If the dealer you’re planning to shop with refuses to let the vehicle be inspected by an independent mechanic, that’s a red flag you should not ignore.
A sun screen is an affordable and easy way to not only keep the temperature inside your vehicle cooler but prevent damage to your dashboard and electronics caused by regular exposure to heat and UV rays.
Just like keeping your car’s window open for your dog can help keep Fido cooler while you’re at the store for a few minutes, keeping your windows cracked can help keep your vehicle’s electronics from getting damaged.
While this may not always be a possibility, parking in the shade can help keep the temperature in your car cool. When combined with a sun screen or keeping your windows open a crack, your car will be a comfortable temperature when you’re ready to go.
Ethanol, also known as bioethanol, is a type of alcohol produced by certain crops. Corn, sugar beets, barley, potatoes, sunflower, grains, wheat, and many other types of crops can all be converted into ethanol.
That means manufacturers can offer consumers a cleaner-burning, cheaper fuel that doesn’t sacrifice power. However, ethanol does reduce fuel efficiency in cars that are not optimized to run on ethanol. Vehicles that are designed to run on fuel that contains ethanol will have a smaller margin of decreased fuel economy.
You may that certain gas stations also feature a standalone pump that, much like diesel, advertises its own selection of fuel. Flex fuel contains up to 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline and can only be run by certain types of vehicles.
It’s possible that an overly enthusiastic pull on your parking brake can cause it to become stuck. In this case, the parking brake has become clamped against the brake shoes too hard and may actually require a professional to unstick.
Ice can actually freeze your parking brake in place. While this isn’t a common problem in the Atlanta area, it’s a possibility to keep in mind if you’re traveling out of town during cold weather.
There are a lot of fluids in your car at a given time: transmission fluid, oil, brake fluid, and coolant, to name a few. Transmission fluid often appears dark, slick, and shiny like oil, but unlike oil, it usually has a burnt smell. Leaking transmission fluid generally appears around the front or middle of where your car is parked.
Gear slippage refers to a few different possible symptoms. These directly impact how your car performs. In turn, they can lead to safety issues if your engine performance means you cannot respond promptly to changes in traffic.
There are many types of fuel grades, but the ones most commonly seen at U.S. gas pumps are 87, 89, and 93. The numbers refer to what’s known as the ‘octane rating’ – a number that measures how much pressure fuel can withstand before igniting. The lower the rating, the more readily the fuel will combust. The higher rating, the more resistant the fuel is to ignite.
It might seem like a great idea to put Premium gas in your car, but the truth is that manufacturers have done a lot of testing and calibration to optimize engines for certain grades of gas. Putting Premium gas into an engine that runs on Regular may actually do more harm than good, and vice versa.
Air-ride suspensions can improve your car’s fuel efficiency by lowering your vehicle’s profile, which improves air displacement when you’re traveling down the road.
Vehicle emissions refer to the colorless, odorless gases produced by your vehicle during normal operation. Emissions are the result of an incomplete combustion of gasoline or diesel and air. Emissions contribute to pollution and smog, which you can often see over the Atlanta skyline, especially during the summer.
