Speaking of that, be prepared for a whole lot of cheap used cars to hit the market in six to twelve months. These will be flood cars, and Carfax may not tell you that. It can definitely be worth it to pay for a title search service that allows you to plug in a VIN and then returns everything that’s ever been attached to that vehicle’s title.
Be wary of titles with salvage too from certain time periods. Salvage cars can work out depending on its situation. I had one that lasted years written off by the previous owner’s insurance because of a bent frame that wasn’t a big deal. Flood is no-go though, way too many things in modern cars that water immersion will damage in short and long term, and hard to detect until it fails.
I would avoid salvage titles in almost every situation. You don’t know why it was a write-off, you don’t know who rebuilt it, and you don’t know what kind of job they did.
If you’re already into turning wrenches, and it’s a “special” car, maybe. If you are buying it from the person or company that did the reconditioning, maybe. But most of the time, the write-offs go to auction, somebody buys them, rebuilds them, sends them right back to auction. Then your local fly-by-night used car lot buys them and sells to unknowing retail customers.
It is a big “caveat emptor” flag for sure. I had a bit more info on the car in question than a blind auction, and I’m experienced enough to work on my own stuff. Good additional point, it’s not for everyone.
Speaking of that, be prepared for a whole lot of cheap used cars to hit the market in six to twelve months. These will be flood cars, and Carfax may not tell you that. It can definitely be worth it to pay for a title search service that allows you to plug in a VIN and then returns everything that’s ever been attached to that vehicle’s title.
You do not want to buy a flood car.
Be wary of titles with salvage too from certain time periods. Salvage cars can work out depending on its situation. I had one that lasted years written off by the previous owner’s insurance because of a bent frame that wasn’t a big deal. Flood is no-go though, way too many things in modern cars that water immersion will damage in short and long term, and hard to detect until it fails.
I would avoid salvage titles in almost every situation. You don’t know why it was a write-off, you don’t know who rebuilt it, and you don’t know what kind of job they did.
If you’re already into turning wrenches, and it’s a “special” car, maybe. If you are buying it from the person or company that did the reconditioning, maybe. But most of the time, the write-offs go to auction, somebody buys them, rebuilds them, sends them right back to auction. Then your local fly-by-night used car lot buys them and sells to unknowing retail customers.
It is a big “caveat emptor” flag for sure. I had a bit more info on the car in question than a blind auction, and I’m experienced enough to work on my own stuff. Good additional point, it’s not for everyone.
Can confirm. Went to look at a car and it had mud in the undercarriage.
Checked the Carfax in the car and it didn’t mention flood damage.
Bought my own Carfax and found out it had been in a flood.
Lesson: Always buy your own Carfax
I’ve heard pulling the seat belt all the way out is also a tell for flood/hurricane cars, mold/mildew