Any legitimate way to check?

Can't trust words coming out of used car seller.

Flood car simple. Remove rear seat and see if got rust. If got then confirm it’s flooded. Also by opening the door and taking a sniff. If it smell musky then it’s flooded before

For accident u need to see the main joints if there’s welding mark or the pillars are intact and smooth. If any other mark then confirm it has been in accident before

Small fender bender cover up is harder to detect but the paint around the inner should be a give away

Last but not least if u feel the car has something wrong…stay away even if it’s dirt cheap vs the other cars. There is definitely a story and cheap price is used to offload the car

pull the safety belt out max , if flooded, you can see water stains on the inner most of the belt source near the B pillars

yes, but I dont want to be too specific.

hint, inside car = look at the lowest point which may have indication of water & not just moisture.

I sold a car right after the famous flood recently, buyer wall unreeling my seatbelt....i told him, if he knows to check this, means anyone serious in hiding flood damage would already cleaned it.

Seatbelt trick wont be feasible nowadays, people can just change aftermarket or get a used 1 from half-cut shop.

The best is still get a mechanic to help verify, check wiring area like fuse box or ECU got any watermark or repair before, jack up check chassis got any excessive rust or mud in hidden area like inner door/power window/side fender area.

If the previous owner really did a great restoring job, you cant even detect. My mechanic did help few to restore and the easiest and fastest way is to buy the exact same car half-cut and transfer all the wiring, seats, carpets, door over 1 to 1 exchange.

This post has been edited by littlefire: Sep 21 2023, 10:24 AM

Cabin - Check all areas underneath the carpet.. See any hidden muds

Seat belt - check the belt manufacturing date whether matches the car original registration date/year

Boot area - check the spare tyre area and spare tyre/rim itself - any mud spot. This area should be very clean with dust only not mud.

Engine bay - check and apot any muddy spots

Underneat the dashbort - steering, etc, any rusty spot on steel materials

Best to get mechanic to re-check for you.

Good thread!

Some excellent inputs here.

Park here for more.