KTAR Radio
Phoenix, AZ
September 26, 2011

by Sandra Haros

It is not uncommon for flood-damaged vehicles to end up in markets all over the country and Phoenix is no exception.

Flood-damaged vehicles hit the market after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005 and now insurance companies are worried it could happen again in the wake of Hurricane Irene that battered the Eastern Seaboard in August.

"Arizonans may not look for warning signs of flood damage when car shopping, not expecting to see such vehicles on car lots here in Arizona," said Ron Williams, executive director of the Arizona Insurance Council. "Unfortunately, many scam artists will bring flooded vehicles out west because shoppers will not be looking for signs of flood damage."

Valley mechanic Jesse Garcia with Kelly Clark Automotive said flood damage is often hidden and can be difficult to spot.

"I think a customer will have a sense of something is not quite right here, like smells, but nothing obvious when you pop the hood," said Garcia.

Garcia said the key is to do your research and to know everything you can about the make and model of the vehicle you are interested in buying.

"Maybe go out and test drive several of the same cars to get an idea of what's right and what's not," Garcia suggested.