Sioux Falls Better Business Bureau Offers Advice on Dealing with Flooded Cars

In light of the recent flooding in Southeast South Dakota, Jessie Schmidt of the Better Business Bureau in Sioux Falls offers this advice for residents who might unknowingly be purchasing a flooded car.

"The first thing you want to do is a car fax. Find out the history of that car. Ensure that it doesn't not have a salvage title associated with it. The sellers are going to conceal the damage if they can. If the price is to good to be true, that's something you should be cautious of as well.

Before signing the papers, Schmidt urges you to have the vehicle thoroughly checked out.

"Hopefully you have a favorite mechanic. Make an appointment and tell the mechanic you're thinking of purchasing the vehicle and want to make sure it hasn't been flooded out. He also needs to see if there are any other red flags you should be looking for."

Schmidt says there are signs the vehicle has been damaged from the flooding.

"There might be a musty smell even though the carpet has been cleaned or new carpet has been installed. People are really good at making these cars look like they're in superior shape. If some of that under the dash wiring seems a little bit brittle that could mean it's been exposed  to water for an extended period of time."