The spring of 2011 will go down as one of the wettest in history, with record storms and rainfall blanketing much of the southeastern US. The flood damage done by those storms was considerable, amounting to millions of dollars in property loss to homes, businesses, and of course, automobiles.

Autos can suffer from water damage just as much as any other piece of property, and are extremely susceptible to other problems such as hail, which can inflict an incredible amount of body damage.

The bad news for consumers is that a lot of these vehicles may soon be flooding local car lots, which means buyers must be diligent when considering a new vehicle purchase.

Vehicles with water or hail damage may be repaired and appear as good as new, and if you have no problem with your new vehicle having such a history, then more power to you. For those who are more discerning, you need to ask a lot of questions in order to avoid ending up with what you may consider a subpar purchase.

Ask point blank if the car has been recently serviced or repaired. By law, the dealer is required to provide the car’s service records. Don’t hesitate to ask if the car has been repaired from flood or hail damage.

If you are buying a used vehicle, take it to a mechanic that you trust for an inspection. They are not in any way attached to the car and can give you a fair evaluation. If a dealer isn’t willing to allow you to take the car for such a purpose, then they are hiding something. Take your business elsewhere.

Look for signs that the vehicle has been involved in flooding, such as water in the intake, under the spare tire, and beneath the mats. Grass and mud under the hood is another dead giveaway.

Again, dealers are required to disclose whether or not a car has been water damaged, but not so with hail damage, which can affect much of the car’s body.

Basically, to protect yourself in this process, follow a few simple guidelines:

- Always purchase from a reputable dealer.

- Conduct a thorough inspection for any dings, dents, water stains, mold, or other signs that the vehicle may have been in a flood.

- Have the car checked out and approved by a certified mechanic of your choice

- Inquire about the vehicle’s history. Don’t hesitate to ask a lot of questions.

- Do a title search. This can reveal much, especially if it turns out to be a “salvage title”.

- Look for signs of rust around electrical connections.

- Look for water lines along the sides of the doors.

- Don’t hesitate to walk away if the car doesn’t look or feel right to you.

Some people will be drawn to the deal of a water damaged vehicle, getting what they believe is a great price. They have their reward. If you’re looking for a quality vehicle, then know what to look for in the shopping process. It will save you a lot of heartache, not to mention money, in the long run.

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