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  #1  
Old 03-24-2013, 07:13 PM
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Evidence to determine vehicle Water Damage From Hurricane in New Hampshire Northeast?

If water damage does not show up on Carfax, how else would it be possible to determine if a Northeastern Coast vehicle for sale has flood/water damage?

Specifically coastal New Hampshire.

What states were involved in the hurricane/water-flooding events?
DE, NJ, NY, RI, CT, MA, NH, ME - any others?

Do licensed dealers have to disclose known flooding, or other hurricane/weather related damage when selling a vehicle, even when it's not stated on it's title? Or is the buyer on their own?

Would a VIN check with insurance companies show whether a car had an insurance claim because of water/flood damage, or is it even possible for a buyer to access such information?

I am suspicious of a specific car in one of those Northeastern states FS, that has "shuddering brakes" and had rotors replaced just last week. A 5-year old MB with less than 30K miles in coastal New Hampshire. Of course, it's at a lowish price, so I am now suspecting it may be a flood damaged car.

Something doesn't sound right that a car this low-miles / newish, needs rotors?!




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Last edited by Skid Row Joe; 03-24-2013 at 08:05 PM. Reason: Added New Hampshire to thread title.......
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  #2  
Old 03-24-2013, 07:23 PM
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Add PA as well, tons of flooding in local rivers and creeks. Check for silt ANYWHERE, especially in the nooks and crannies that someone might have forgotten. I think that the majority of these vehicles were claimed on insurance (there are places around here that are packed with 15-20k cars, essentially rotting away.

I would think that dealers would have to disclose it, but who's enforcing that? Of course you can sue, but they can throw their hands up and say "I don't know" or point the finger at you. IOW, do your homework before!
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  #3  
Old 03-24-2013, 07:26 PM
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Look down deep on the outside of the radiator. It is almost impossible to get all the silt out of those little fins.
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Old 03-24-2013, 07:27 PM
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Silt as mentioned. Brownish rust stains. Mold odor. Strong smell of air freshener. Powdery white stuff on wiring junctions. Check under the carpeting.
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  #5  
Old 03-24-2013, 07:27 PM
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If you do see silt on the radiator then see if you can pull off the brake pedal pad. If it is wet under there then the car has been under water.
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Old 03-24-2013, 08:04 PM
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I make it a point not to purchase anything from that part of the country.
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Old 03-24-2013, 08:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by engatwork View Post
I make it a point not to purchase anything from that part of the country.
That's absurd -- you're talking about very small areas that were flooded as compared to the entire Northeast.
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Old 03-24-2013, 08:43 PM
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I won't purchase anything from the northeast or in other words, anything that has spent any time at all in states where salt gets put on the roads.
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Old 03-24-2013, 09:11 PM
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Evidence to determine vehicle Water Damage From Hurricane in the Northeast?

Quote:
Originally Posted by engatwork View Post
I won't purchase anything from the northeast or in other words, anything that has spent any time at all in states where salt gets put on the roads.
Idk, there isn't a single spot of rust on my 20 year old 300e. They're not all bad.
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Old 03-24-2013, 09:29 PM
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AS the OP, let me jump in here and........

Cont'd.......tell you'all that I have in my possession the car's Carfax AND the MB dealer produced all important VMI.

There's no evidence BEYOND what I was told last week, that the brakes were shuddering on their application, so the rotors (which ones RE: FRONT or BACK OR ALL (4) - I don't know).

I am suspect at this point of water possibly having warped the rotors........why else would an '08 E320 Bluetec w/under 30K miles have developed warped rotors? Provided it wasn't involved in road/track racing/braking.

The MB VMI shows the previous owner's name. No address or contact info. - just shows the name.

I have not seen the car - but am considering it......strongly considering it.
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  #11  
Old 03-24-2013, 09:43 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by engatwork View Post
I won't purchase anything from the northeast or in other words, anything that has spent any time at all in states where salt gets put on the roads.
That's how I read your comment.
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Old 03-24-2013, 09:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe View Post
Cont'd.......tell you'all that I have in my possession the car's Carfax AND the MB dealer produced all important VMI.

There's no evidence BEYOND what I was told last week, that the brakes were shuddering on their application, so the rotors (which ones RE: FRONT or BACK OR ALL (4) - I don't know).

I am suspect at this point of water possibly having warped the rotors........why else would an '08 E320 Bluetec w/under 30K miles have developed warped rotors? Provided it wasn't involved in road/track racing/braking.

The MB VMI shows the previous owner's name. No address or contact info. - just shows the name.

I have not seen the car - but am considering it......strongly considering it.
Could have been owned by a little old lady who only rode the brakes all the way to church every Sunday.

AFAIK, it is required of all licensed dealers that flood damage be reported to any prospective buyer.

Lots of things could happen in thirty thousand miles to require replacing the rotors, including the car not haven been driven for a number of months. Up here in NE, rotors on cars not being actively driven will rust everywhere except under the pads, which will cause a serious pulsation when the car is driven again.
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  #13  
Old 03-24-2013, 10:01 PM
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or the car could have been to the local tire shop for tire rotation and the greasemonkey zipped the wheels on with an impact and didn't use a torque wrench.our local goodyear was horrendous for this.
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Old 03-24-2013, 10:10 PM
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I'm not sure about the car but the Excursions and F series trucks around that time have bad rotors that had reports of warping. Who knows why besides poor materials. We change them to better rotors and brakes and life is good. Dad had me tech a MB and I noticed that after driving, the rear rotors still had some rust film on them while the fronts were shiny. You couldn't touch the front because of the heat but both the rears were cool. Less than 5 years old but still.

Unless I KNOW why, I'd pass on that car. After all, as a rule (with some exceptions), NOBODY really gives a crap about you and will not be selling a car cheap unless they were totally ignorant and wanted to get rid of the problem child or they were just plain stupid.

I usually check the fluids. If the fluids are brand new, I pass. Why would I change the fluid when the car is about to be sold? Sounds like they are trying to hide something.

Bottom line, I'd pass on this car. Sounds too good to be true. I also happen to be selling this bridge with one previous owner, well built and maintained......
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Old 03-24-2013, 10:23 PM
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Katrina cars and boats were cheap!

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