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Bargain-hunters beware: How to spot a flood-damaged used car

Man checking under bonnet of car for flood damage
There are a few signs of flood damage to look out for flood damage that could save you paying for a mechanical check. (Source: Getty)

Consumers should be wary of flood-damaged cars when hunting for a second-hand vehicle, experts have warned.

After other flooding events, NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said he had seen flood-damaged cars appear on the second-hand market.

“Hail damage is the same,” Khoury added.

So far, he hasn’t seen any evidence of cars on the market damaged by the devastating floods in NSW and Queensland.

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“But that doesn’t mean it hasn’t been happening.”

What to look out for

When it comes to avoiding a dud buy, dirt-cheap prices are usually a giveaway.

“If you see a car where the price is too good to be true, it probably is,” Khoury says.

He said it was easy to avoid a “lemon” if you did some digging into the vehicle’s history.

NRMA has a $26 CarHistory service that will uncover if the car has been written off or damaged, or if there’s money owing on it.

Khoury said asking a mechanic to look at a used car was always a good idea.

Mechanic Dylan Connell said there were a couple of red flags to look out for that could save you calling in a mechanic at all.

A musty smell is usually a giveaway. He also said to check the interior for any dampness.

He also recommended popping the bonnett to see if there was debris, such as leaves and twigs, that may have found their way in from the floodwaters.

If you see any of these red flags, Connell said it was best to steer clear.

The risk of ending up with a cruddy car is higher on the private market because the car won’t come with a warranty.

Tips for buying used cars

Khoury offered a couple of handy tips for buying used cars:

  • Take someone with you - you may need someone to talk some sense into you, especially if you’re inspecting your dream car

  • Don’t buy the first thing you see - it always pays to shop around

  • Check the car thoroughly - there’s a comprehensive list on the NRMA website of things to look for

  • Pay for background checks and inspections - it’s worth the money

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