Car dealer warns of flooded cars on the market

LARGO, Fla. – Thousands of vehicles were flooded during Hurricane Helene and Milton and some could reach car dealerships.

These flooded vehicles are usually totaled by insurance companies, but some do manage to be repaired and end up on the used car market.

It is important for a buyer to know if the vehicle is damaged and avoid being scammed.

Kyle Chiappone, owner of Redemption Auto Sales in Largo, has been in business for several years. He recently posted a warning about flooded cars on several online forums. He wanted to remind buyers to thoroughly inspect the vehicle before purchasing.

Chiappone said no one has tried to sell his dealer a flooded vehicle, but says he has seen other dealers bring them in. He said since Helene and Milton; it was difficult to find vehicles to sell.

“We have to travel four, five or six hours to get our inventory so we can be confident in what we’re buying,” Chaippone said.

It is important to find out more about the vehicle you are interested in by checking CarFax or you can check the VIN number on the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle website.

Chiappone said there are signs you can look for to find out if a car has been flooded, including looking under the door gaskets, under the cabin carpet and in the trunk.
You can also look under the hood and check the fuse box and around the engine.