Out of the Storm…and Into the Car Lot? CARFAX and go.drive. Help Customers Avoid Purchasing a Water-Damaged Vehicle

Lubbock, TX (PRWEB) February 01, 2013

go.drive. and CARFAX partnered for the spring issue of go.drive. to help customers avoid purchasing a water-damaged car. Superstorm Sandy is not the only tropical storm/hurricane to leave flooded vehicles in its wake. To avoid purchasing a water-damaged car, follow these tips:

• Check the trunk, glove compartment, the dashboard and below the seats for signs of water damage such as silt, mud or rust.
• Examine upholstery and carpeting closely; if it doesn’t match the interior or fits loosely, it may have been replaced. Discolored, faded or stained materials could indicate water damage.
• Turn the ignition key and make sure that accessory and warning lights and gauges come on and work properly. Make sure the airbag and ABS lights come on.
• Test lights (interior and exterior), windshield wipers, turn signals, cigarette lighter, radio, heater and air conditioner several times to make sure they work.
• Flex some of the wires beneath the dashboard. Wet wires will become brittle upon drying and may crack.
• Take a deep breath, and smell for musty odors from mildew.
• Have a trusted mechanic give it a pre-purchase inspection and look for signs of flood damage or other potential problems.
• Ask to see a vehicle history report. CARFAX Vehicle History Reports can reveal many hidden problems from a vehicle’s past, including flood and salvage titles, and total loss records. If the seller does not offer a report, use the 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) available on the dashboard to check the car’s history at Carfax.com

About go.drive.:
go.drive. is a magazine written especially for auto dealership customers published for SOPUS by TKO Multimedia. go.drive. features fun, entertaining tidbits intermingled with articles that educate customers about topics like car care and vehicle purchasing. The magazine is published quarterly. For more information or to inquire about a subscription, visit: http://www.godrivemag.com
About CARFAX:
The most trusted provider of vehicle history information, CARFAX is used by millions of consumers each year. CARFAX Vehicle History Reports are available on all used cars and light trucks model year 1981 or later. Using the unique 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN), a CARFAX Report is instantly generated from our database of over ten billion records. For more information, visit: http://reports.carfax.com