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PHOENIX – Recent storms
have given Arizonans in the market for used cars even more reason to pay close
attention to a vehicle’s condition and history, especially in private sales.
Cars damaged by floodwaters such as those resulting from Hurricane Florence can
sometimes find their way to Arizona to be sold.
If a vehicle is
flood-damaged, the title should say “salvage” or “flood damage.” But scammers
can and do fraudulently remove flood history from vehicle titles.
“We want to make sure
potential buyers remain vigilant when looking at used vehicles and not sign
anything until the vehicle has been checked over bumper to bumper,” said Willie
Hall, detective sergeant with ADOT’s Office of Inspector General, which
investigates fraud involving titles and vehicle sales. “Flood-damaged vehicles
that have been repackaged and dressed up are a common scam after major weather
events like what we’ve seen recently.”
Potential buyers should
closely inspect vehicles and be prepared to walk away if things don’t smell
right – quite literally in some cases.
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Check out all of the vehicle’s nooks and crannies. Look inside
under the carpet and floor mats and examine the trunk for dirt, silt and mold.
Check under the dashboard and other hard-to-reach places as well. Criminals
usually don’t clean all of those places. Finally, take a good whiff in those
areas. Water damage leaves a distinctive smell.
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Check the electrical and mechanical components. Water wreaks havoc
on electrical systems, so check to see if any of those systems aren’t working
quite right. Also check the engine for signs of rust or even random new parts.
Get under the vehicle and check the suspension for water damage. Any of those
things could be a sign that you’re in danger of buying a flood-damaged vehicle.
It’s always a good idea
to have any used vehicle you’re looking at buying checked out by a trusted auto
mechanic.
A vehicle identification
number can be used to obtain the vehicle history through an online service that
may charge a fee. This check can uncover a vehicle’s status as “salvage” or
“non-repairable,” as well as maintenance problems, collisions, insurance claims
and titles issued in other states.
For more information: azdot.gov/CarBuyingTips, 24-hour fraud hotline at 602-277-5684 or
877.712.2370 (outside Phoenix) or email fraud@azdot.gov.
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