Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter is warning the state’s tag agencies and residents to be wary of flood-damaged cars potentially being sold in the state.
"Flooded cars are a ticking time bomb," Hunter said in a news release. "A car that has been cleaned up may run fine and even look fine, but in reality it is a matter of time before something goes wrong. When the electrical, mechanical and safety systems are exposed to water, it compromises the essential functions of the vehicle, putting families and those who share the road at risk."
Hunter sent Oklahoma tag agencies a letter warning them to be wary of title transfers from Texas and other states.
Press Secretary Alex Gerszewski said cars damaged in natural disasters have been illegally sold before, and it could be a big problem again after hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
"Up to 1 million vehicles have been damaged by flood waters after the hurricanes," Gerszewski said. "What scammers often try to do is they'll try to clean up those cars, title them in a different state, then bring them to another state to try to sell them without ever listing any kind of flood damage."
Signs of a flood-damaged car include rust under the hood or on unpainted parts; water in engine fluids; mud in unexpected places, like the dashboard; and mismatched upholstery and carpet.
There are a few easy ways to avoid the trap if you’re buying a used car soon.
"Always take the car to a mechanic, somebody that you trust, to thoroughly inspect the car. Get a report on the car; there are multiple websites that you can check a VIN number and make sure the car doesn't have any prior flood damage," Gerszewski said. "And one of the easiest ways is just to purchase from a reputable seller."
If you suspect you've bought a flood damage car or see one for sale, contact the Oklahoma Attorney General's Consumer Protection unit by phone at 405-521-2029 or by emailing consumerprotection@oag.ok.gov.
