Car prices are through the roof thanks to a global microchip shortage caused by the pandemic. There is one other thing shoppers should worry about besides cost: water damage. PennyGem’s Johana Restrepo has more.
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00:00Car prices are through the roof thanks to a global microchip shortage caused by the
00:08pandemic.
00:09There is one other thing shoppers should worry about besides cost, water damage.
00:14Thousands of cars damaged by floods don't always say that on their record or title.
00:20Consumer Reports points out that flood-damaged cars often end up hundreds of miles away from
00:26the storm location so consumers will be less aware of recent floods.
00:31These are the kind of damages that fly under the radar if no insurance claim was filed
00:36and the car ends back up on the market.
00:39It's recommended that people do thorough research on a used car before buying it.
00:44Sites like Carfax lets you put in the vehicle identification number and see previous owners,
00:50accidents or recalls according to GROW.
00:53Sometimes these also will tell you if a car was previously registered in an area impacted
00:59by a FEMA major disaster declaration.
01:02Have a mechanic look at the car and watch out for things like musty odors, loose upholstery,
01:08damp carpets and rust as these are signs of water damage.
01:12You can also look for a line left behind by standing water in the engine compartment.