Carfax: Flooded Cars Back On The Road Jumps 47% Over Past Year

Nearly 500,000 Waterlogged Wrecks Put Unsuspecting Buyers at Risk; Carfax Offers Free Flood Check

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Oct 22, 2018, 07:00 ET

CENTREVILLE, Va., Oct. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Carfax is warning consumers that more flood damaged cars have resurfaced across the country. New research from Carfax suggests that over 478,000 flooded vehicles are back in use, either on the road or up for sale. That figure is a 47% increase – more than 150,000 additional cars – from 2017, when hurricanes Harvey and Irma devastated the Gulf Coast and Southeast.

Infographic detailing key findings from Carfax flood car research. The number of flooded cars on the road this year skyrocketed 47% over 2017.

With two major hurricanes impacting the U.S. this year, the number of flooded cars cleaned up and resold will likely grow. Carfax estimates at least 107,000 vehicles were damaged during Hurricane Florence. To help protect consumers, Carfax is letting them check for reported flood damage free of charge at carfax.com/flood.

Vehicles reported as flood damaged by a state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Canadian province, insurance companies and more are in use in every state, and these ten states have the most (percent increase over 2017):

1. Texas – 168,600 (230%)	6. Illinois – 15,500 (3%)
2. Florida – 34,400 (79%)	7. South Carolina – 13,500 (4%)
3. Pennsylvania – 22,100 (11%)	8. North Carolina – 12,400 (-5%)
4. Kentucky – 21,700 (36%)	9. New Jersey – 11,900 (5%)
5. Louisiana – 16,800 (-42%)	10. Michigan – 11,600 (6%)

The top five metropolitan areas with the most previously flooded cars back in use are Houston, New York City, Miami, Philadelphia and Dallas.

"Our data suggests that severe weather events, especially historic ones like Harvey and Irma, have a nationwide impact. This surge in flood cars also underscores the importance of identifying these waterlogged wrecks before it's too late," said Dick Raines, president of Carfax. "Flood cars can resurface no matter where you live, so we urge car buyers and sellers to use the resources available that will best protect them. Vigilance is key; start with a vehicle history report, mechanic's inspection and thorough test drive to help prevent con men from ripping you off."

There are safety, health and financial concerns about flooded cars. Water can compromise the mechanical, electrical and safety systems of a vehicle, turning them into ticking time bombs. Hazardous mold and bacteria may develop in the soft parts of the car. Plus, unsuspecting buyers often pay thousands more than a flooded car is worth.

Editor's note: Localized statistics about flood cars are available upon request. An infographic also is available for use at https://www.carfax.com/press/resources/flooded-cars.

About Carfax
Carfax, a unit of IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO), helps millions of people every day confidently shop, buy, own and sell used cars with innovative solutions powered by Carfax vehicle history information. The expert in vehicle history since 1984, Carfax provides exclusive services like Carfax Used Car Listings, myCarfax, Carfax History-Based Value and the flagship Carfax® Vehicle History Report™ to consumers and the automotive industry. Carfax owns the world's largest vehicle history database and is a nationally recognized top workplace by The Washington Post and Glassdoor.com. Shop, Buy, Own, Sell – Show me the Carfax™. Based in London, IHS Markit is a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions.

SOURCE Carfax