Even before reports of Hurricane Isaias over the weekend, the number of vehicles sustaining flood damage across the country was nearing 50,000, according to estimates from CARFAX.
Diving in: CARFAX’s October report showed approximately 48,000 vehicles damaged this year in flooding across the country, pointing out flash floods in Michigan, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia.
Last year, in early August, a similar CARFAX report noted about 45,000 vehicles with flood damage.
Zooming in: CARFAX noted that many flooded vehicles end up back on the road, more than half a million in total.
Florida still has the most flood-damaged vehicles on the road, though the estimated number dropped from 82,100 last year to 75,000.
Texas was second, with an increase of 4,000 vehicles.
California, New York, the Carolinas, and New Jersey all saw more than a 1,000-vehicle increase in the past year.
Tennessee replaced Illinois in the top 10 with an estimated 14,100 vehicles on the road with flood damage.
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What they’re saying: “Floodwater can leave behind damage that isn’t always obvious when a vehicle is cleaned up and put back on the market. And those cars can appear far from the area where the storm occurred,” said Paul Nadjarian, Chief Product Officer at CARFAX, in a press release.
Bottom line: Dealers should be aware of vehicles that may have been damaged by floodwaters from storms in their area and across the country.
Signs of potential flood damage when inspecting a vehicle include musty odors, loose and stained carpet or upholstery, rust around doors and latches, mud or silt in the vehicle, brittle wires, and moisture in lights or instrument panels.
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