Experts Warn of Hidden Dangers in Flood-Damaged Vehicles

Flood-damaged cars can be difficult to detect and may be sold by scammers, experts caution.

Published on Mar. 12, 2026

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Heavy rainfall in West Michigan has left many cars submerged in floodwaters, which can cause significant electrical and mechanical damage that may not be immediately visible. Experts warn that scammers may try to clean up and resell these flood-damaged vehicles, putting unsuspecting buyers at risk. They advise checking for telltale signs like musty odors, mud in unusual places, and water lines before purchasing a used car.

Why it matters

Flood-damaged vehicles pose a serious risk to consumers, as the hidden damage can lead to costly repairs or even render the car unsafe to drive. This issue is compounded by scammers who try to conceal the flood damage and sell these vehicles at a profit, taking advantage of unsuspecting buyers. Raising awareness about the dangers of flood-damaged cars is important to protect the local community.

The details

Experts say that floodwaters seeping into a car can cause significant electrical damage, which may be enough to total the vehicle if the damage is severe. Scammers often try to clean up these flood-damaged cars and sell them elsewhere, making the vehicles appear showroom fresh on the outside while the internal components are "rotting from the inside out." Telltale signs of flood damage include a musty odor, mud in unusual places, and damp or loose upholstery. Unfortunately, these flood-damaged cars can come from anywhere, including other states, and may be difficult to detect.

  • On Tuesday night, heavy rainfall caused major flooding in several areas across West Michigan.
  • Over 30 years of experience, Mark Savage has seen many cars with flood damage.

The players

Mark Savage

The floor manager at Auto Sport Inc. with over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry.

Em Nguyen

The PR director for Carfax, a company that provides vehicle history reports to help consumers identify potential issues like flood damage.

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What they’re saying

“If you're driving through and it comes back up through the exhaust, it will do some major damage for sure.”

— Mark Savage, Floor Manager, Auto Sport Inc. (woodtv.com)

“The vehicles that you're seeing in your area are the types of vehicles that then may get sold very cheaply to those potential scammers who then clean them up and try to sell them elsewhere. While it may look showroom fresh on the outside, it's really rotting from the inside out.”

— Em Nguyen, PR Director, Carfax (woodtv.com)

What’s next

Consumers can check a vehicle's history through Carfax to identify any flood damage or salvage titles before making a purchase.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of being vigilant when purchasing a used car, especially in the aftermath of severe weather events. Checking for signs of flood damage and verifying a vehicle's history can help protect buyers from falling victim to unscrupulous scammers looking to profit off of damaged cars.