CARFAX is urging used car shoppers to beware, as flood-damaged cars from mid-year storms are expected to soon make their way to the market. CARFAX estimates as many as 45,000 vehicles have been damaged by flooding that occurred in places like Texas, Kentucky, and West Virginia from April through July. This is on top of the estimated up to 482,000 water-damaged cars that CARFAX data shows were already on U.S. roads at the start of 2025.
“Flood-damaged cars don’t just stay in storm-hit areas; they show up all over the country, putting unsuspecting buyers at serious risk,” said Faisal Hasan, Vice President of Data Acquisition at CARFAX. “The same vehicles pictured in one state, floating in floodwaters, can get cleaned up by scammers and sold elsewhere. And while these rehabbed cars may look showroom fresh, they’re literally rotting from the inside out.”
The top 10 states that are estimated to have the most water-damaged cars, according to CARFAX:
Florida and Texas lead the nation in the number of flood-damaged cars already on the road. But they can end up anywhere in the country. CARFAX says its research shows these vehicles often turn up in other states like Pennsylvania or Illinois - places where car shoppers likely aren't thinking about flooded out cars being in their area. Click here for CARFAX's free Flood Check tool carfax.com/flood.
Here are the red flags to look out for when considering any used car:
- Damp or loose carpentry, or carpentry that’s mismatched from the upholstery
- Rust around doors, under the dashboard, on the pedals, or inside the hood or trunk latches
- A musty odor, potentially of mold or mildew
- Mud or silt in unusual places such as the glove compartment, under the seats, or up high
- Brittle wires under the dashboard
- Fog or moisture beads in the interior lights, head- and taillights, or in the instrument panel
Also, don’t miss Car Pro Show host Jerry Reynolds' tips on flood damaged cars here →
