Questions and Answers
Flood Car And Salvage
Q. Dear Mr. Ciulla, I came across the About.com web site a few months ago and found it very informative. However, I do have a question that I could not find the answer to. I know someone who is selling cars that have been in fresh water floods.
He says that they run and drive but that the vehicles are sold with a salvage title. For example, he has a brand new BMW 740il that still has the dealer stickers on it because it was on the BMW lot when it flooded. The car is going for about $15,000.00.
But, it sounds too good to be true. What kind of problems should I expect if I buy the vehicle?
Thank you very much for any answer you could provide. Have a nice day.
NiluA. That is a good deal, that's about $30,000.00 less than MSRP.
If it were me, and because it was a fresh water flood, I'd buy it. Chances are that you won't run into too many flood related problems because when fresh water dries, it's gone. Now salt water is a different story. Salt water damage will continue for years and will never stop eating the car. The biggest thing is that there is, probably, no new car warranty with it so everything that would normally have been covered under warranty, you'll have to pay for. But then again, when you bring it in for service, "Don't ask and don't tell".
By the way... did they have any Mercedes Benz diesels on the lot?
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