(WBMA) — The flood waters from Hurricane Harvey have damaged tens of thousands of cars in Texas. But we have floods in Alabama, too.
Experts say flood-damaged cars that are sold, instead of scrapped, can have electrical, mechanical and even safety issues that can put your life on the line.
Alabama has one of the highest rates in the nation for having flood-damaged cars back on the road or up for sale. That’s according to Carfax—the company that provides vehicle history reports on used cars.
In fact, Carfax spokesman Chris Basso called flood-damaged cars "ticking time bombs."
According to Carfax, there are about 5,300 flood-damaged cars in the state that are on the road or for sale.
Flood-damaged car dangers
Here’s the danger from flood-damaged cars:
How to avoid buying a flood-damaged car
Here’s how to avoid buying a flood-damaged car:
Carfax offers a free flood check. Go to Carfax.com/flood. Enter the vehicle identification number, and your email address, on their website to see if the car you’re considering was flood-damaged.
Finally, get the car checked by your own mechanic before you buy it.