The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) offers 10 inspection tips that may be used to detect significant water damage. While these inspection suggestions will not detect flood damage in every case, they do provide some information that may help to protect consumers from purchasing a vehicle damaged by water or flood. Mechanics at dealerships or repair shops can also be helpful in inspecting used vehicles.

To identify vehicles that have flood damage, as well as stolen or salvaged vehicles, check the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) Database. NICB’s VINCheck is a service provided to the public to assist in determining if a vehicle has been reported as stolen, but not recovered, or has been reported as a salvage vehicle by cooperating NICB members. To perform a search a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is required. A maximum of five VINCheck searches can be conducted within a 24 hour period.