A thorough inspection by a qualified expert is critical when buying any used car. In addition to identifying flood damage, an experienced technician can find evidence of other problems, too.

Evidence of collision repair: Paint overspray and mismatched exterior colors are telltale signs that a car has been in an accident, but a careful inspection can also turn up amateurish body welds, poor panel fits, a bent frame, and other signs that a car has been wrecked and repaired.

Odometer tampering: A knowledgeable tech will look at the odometer closely for smudging or misalignment. These conditions could be an indication of odometer tampering or rollback. Unfortunately, this practice is still in wide use across the country, though newer cars equipped with digital odometers are harder to roll back.

VIN reconciliation: If the vehicle is a luxury model that is supposed to have a specific type of engine or equipment and it does not, the tech can tell because the VIN codes the original specification from the factory. Disparity between the VIN and the actual vehicle are indications that the vehicle has either been rebuilt or has been stolen and assigned a new VIN. Any discrepancies between the VIN listed on the title, on the ID tag at the base of the windshield, and on the tag on the driver’s doorframe are another indication that the vehicle was stolen and given a new VIN. This problem also crops up when an unscrupulous re-builder ‘parts’ a car together out of the undamaged sections of several different vehicles. This means that the car is assembled in the same way that Dr. Frankenstein put his monstrosity together ... one used body part at a time.

General Inspection: Finally, a good tech will check belts, hoses, and pulleys for proper operation and condition. We also recommend that an engine and electrical analysis be performed to see if there are any codes in the computer or problems with the electrical system. The tech will check for rusted brake and fuel lines, the condition of a manual transmission and differential levels, and for rust in the exhaust system. If rust is coming from the inside out, that’s an indication that the vehicle was under water. The inspector should also look closely at the frame for rust damage.

The moral of this story is clear. When buying a used car – any used car – always conduct a pre-purchase inspection and title search. The time and money are well spent and could save you plenty of heart and headache in the future.

‘Til next time…keep rollin’.

Photos courtesy of FEMA and Ron Perry