I am going to buy a truck next month. I assume there are going to be a lot of dealers trying to dump water damaged merchandise. How can you tell if a vehicle has been flooded?

Also, I assume there is going to be some good deals on vehicles that were flooded. If you could get something new for half price would it be worth it, or would the repairs be continual?

Smell.

Doesn't matter what they do the smell will be there . If you buy a ride that you will sell off in a couple of years then no probs. Problem with flood damaged rides is the water ingress to inside the box sections, if these sections are not painted or treated then it will rot out in short order.

Some signs the car was flooded:

- When looking inside, fish wave back

- You open the door, and water gushes out

- Algae on the windows

- Gurgling sound when starting

- Mud out of the exhaust pipe

- High-water line around the car

...

Look NOW and take a record of what cars you might be interested in. They will probably still be on the market next month. Check out websites like one2car.com or taladrod,com. I do imagine in 1-2 months time there will be an influx of flood damaged cars onto the market. Last year my car floor got water in it, but getting it removed and professionally cleaned, its like (almost) new again. No smells or mustiness. Full submergence, like mentioned could cause other problems though. Especially cars close to bkk that will have some saltiness to the water that will accelerate rusting.

Next month no problem submerged trucks will still be that , after look for refurbished interiors probably in wrong materials.

The electrical system in a vehicle nowadays has many electronic devices, these would almost certainly

be damaged in a flooded out car.

If repairs are made to enable the car to run, then a thorough check of all the other electrical systems will be required

aswell.

EG: aircon ventilation system, electric windows, central locking, mirrors, Anti lock braking, gearbox auto gear changes,

alarm immobiliser, electric seats, and so on.

Following 2004 Tsunami here in Phuket, Insurance companies "repaired" drowned vehicles. Electronics removed, fresh water treated and installed again. Worked for months, and then vehicle beyond repair at reasonable price.

Remove door gaskets and similar and look for particles

Remove glove compartement and trunk covers

Look at manufactoring date on all parts including seatbelts and instruments and airbags

Up North 6 years ago after some flooding I looked at motors for sale. One giveaway on flood damaged cars were the headlights amongst other signs. The scum line inside and the bad discolouration behind the glass showed they had been under water.

If the price is too good to be true it is probably to good to be true

If the price is too good to be true it is probably to good to be true

Problem with that is that the price will be set at the normal going rate and the car will still be a lemon.

I've seen many second hand car dealers here in Thailand trying to get top rates for well over used cars that are usually

spruced up to appear in better condition than they are, with false mileage showing, but the give away signs are still there, ie worn out:

pedal rubbers, steering wheel trims, elbow rests on drivers door panels, gear selector knobs, drivers seat cushions,drivers side carpets, etc.

I would only buy a s/h car if i knew the owner selling it and it was no more than 3-4 yrs old with documented service history.

If the price is too good to be true it is probably to good to be true

Problem with that is that the price will be set at the normal going rate and the car will still be a lemon.

I've seen many second hand car dealers here in Thailand trying to get top rates for well over used cars that are usually

spruced up to appear in better condition than they are, with false mileage showing, but the give away signs are still there, ie worn out:

pedal rubbers, steering wheel trims, elbow rests on drivers door panels, gear selector knobs, drivers seat cushions,drivers side carpets, etc.

I would only buy a s/h car if i knew the owner selling it and it was no more than 3-4 yrs old with documented service history.

A lot of the local punters like 'shiny shiny' it doesn't dawn on them what 'wavy wavy' means so the dealers can do it. Documented history won't include a flooded date which is what the thread is about.