Technicians should look for tell-tale signs of flood damage when evaluating used vehicle for sale for customers as U.S. enters flood season
Oak Brook, Ill.—As storms and severe flooding continue to impact communities across the U.S., the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is urging everyone to exercise caution when evaluating used vehicles that are for sale.
Flood-damaged vehicles frequently re-enter the used car market following major disasters, sometimes hundreds of miles from where the flooding occurred and often without proper disclosure.
“A flood-damaged vehicle may look perfectly normal on the outside, but hidden damage can create serious safety hazards and expensive repair bills in the following months or years,” said David J. Glawe, president and CEO of NICB. “Before purchasing any used vehicles, consumers should take advantage of every resource available to ensure they’re making an informed decision.”
Floodwater can cause extensive and lasting damage to a vehicle’s electrical systems, engine, transmission, brakes, and safety features. Flood-damaged vehicles declared a total loss should carry a salvage or flood title, but dishonest sellers routinely conceal that history through superficial repairs and “title washing” before reselling to unsuspecting buyers.
As of August 2025, CARFAX estimates that as many as 530,000 flood-damaged vehicles were on U.S. roads.
NICB recommends consumers take the following precautions before purchasing any used vehicle:
- Run the vehicle’s VIN through NICB’s free VINCheck service to determine whether it has been reported as a salvage vehicle or total loss by participating NICB member carriers.
- Obtain a vehicle history report and carefully review the vehicle’s title history.
- Have the vehicle checked by a reputable technician or repair facility before completing any purchase.
- Check for warning signs of flood damage, including musty odors, water stains, rust, silt or mud, mismatched upholstery, and moisture inside the vehicle’s parts.
- Be cautious of deals that appear too good to be true.
NICB’s VINCheck is available free of charge to determine whether a vehicle has been reported as stolen and unrecovered or declared a salvage or total loss by participating NICB member insurers covering more than 92% of the market.
Originally developed following Hurricane Katrina, VINCheck facilitates millions of vehicle verifications each year. As of July 31, 2026, VINCheck processed nearly three million vehicle checks.
Comments are closed.