Buyer Beware, Facebook Marketplace to be ‘Flooded’ With Vehicles

It's more political jargon, but Oklahoma sure won't let a good tragedy go to waste. Sooner or later, online sites are sure to be flooded by vehicles affected by the rampant flooding happening across the state.

Needless to say, if a deal seems too good to be true, it almost always is.

That's not to say you won't find a listing here or there where the seller is straight up about it. I have one friend who makes a living buying totalled vehicles and salvaging them. It's more a labor of love than anything, but he'll put new everything in a vehicle and sell it off with a rebuilt title.

Do the research.

If you find yourself in the market for a vehicle in the near future, be sure to take necessary steps to ensure you weren't born a sucker. Here is where the bulk of the flooding across Oklahoma has happened.

If you can, shop at reputable dealers around the Sooner State. There are plenty of pre-owned vehicles available with dealer-provided warranties and guarantees. On top of that, most dealers are happy to provide you with a vehicle report.

You can also file for your own vehicle report from several providers online if you find something outside of the dealerships, but you have to keep in mind... It's only on the report if it was reported.

If a private seller opted to clean up a flood vehicle in their own garage, the odds of that being in a vehicle report are slim to none.

Red flags to look for.

Obviously, a once-flooded vehicle is going to have a very particular smell about it. It's musty, and as the weather warms up in May, it'll smell like mold.

Look for water damage in the interior. It may not be clear as day, but subtle color changes can indicate the muddy waters of Oklahoma have been inside a vehicle.

If you can, take some photos of the nooks and crannies you can't see--under the seats and under the dash. If water has flooded in, there will be tell-tale signs of light rust or a waterline that the seller missed in the cleanup.

Test everything in the vehicle. Water-damaged cars are notorious for electrical issues. Test the lights, blinkers, every button, cruise control, wipers, wiper fluid, etc... Heck, bring a light to test the trailer harness in the bumper.

Examine the headlights and taillights for moisture. If they've been underwater, condensation will still be present.

Look under the hood. A red flag is a squeaky-clean engine bay. Ask any used car salesman, the cleaner the engine, the more likely something is being hidden. The engine is full of tiny places where debris and mud will have settled, even if it's been pressure-washed. Be thorough.

Be sure to check the oil. If you're not familiar with how to do that, Google it. It's really easy. When you pull the dipstick, it should be on the color spectrum anywhere from honey to really dark brown. If it looks like iced coffee, it's got water damage, and you'd be better off walking away immediately.

If you're still not sure, feel free to have your own trusted mechanic take a look at it. Most will charge a flat fee to look over a vehicle, and if the seller doesn't agree to allow you to do that, you'll have a quick answer on whether you should buy it or not.

More importantly, pass this information along to the young drivers you know. I can't tell you how many junk vehicles my 18-year-old nephew has bought and traded for in the last two years, but he still hasn't learned this lesson.

Never trust anyone trying to sell you something.