When purchasing a used car, water or flood damage can lead to many hidden problems that may not be immediately obvious. At Greasemonkey Inspectors, we ensure every pre-purchase vehicle inspection comes with a detailed history report, helping you avoid unpleasant surprises.
Flood or water damage can create serious issues for buyers. When inspecting a vehicle, we often notice signs of excessive moisture in areas where it shouldn’t be. This raises many important questions—how long was the vehicle exposed to water? Was it submerged? Was it saltwater or freshwater? Saltwater, in particular, can cause extensive damage.
These questions matter because water damage can lead to major problems. Rust is a common issue, but that’s just the start. Water can also affect the vehicle’s electrical systems, engine, transmission, and cooling systems. Even if repairs were made, there’s a high chance that problems will appear in the future.
In any case of water or flood damage, the vehicle should always be sold well below market value. It’s simply not worth paying full price for a car that might have hidden issues due to water exposure. Unfortunately, thousands of damaged vehicles in Canada, particularly damaged vehicles in Ontario, are not properly discarded after water damage. Instead, they are sold to unsuspecting buyers who later face expensive repairs.
Take, for example, the inspection of a 2005 Mustang GT. We found significant water damage, including rust on the interior hardware and dirt inside the glove box. The vehicle’s cooling system was malfunctioning, and both the floors and seat belts were damp. Another major concern was the computer system. When we hooked it up, the monitors were incomplete, indicating that the system had been reset, possibly to hide critical information.
The seller did not disclose any of these issues and was attempting to sell the car at a high price. Luckily, the buyer hired us for a thorough inspection, saving them from purchasing a damaged vehicle and avoiding the hefty repair bills that would have followed.
If you are considering buying a used car, especially damaged vehicles in Ontario or damaged vehicles in Canada, always get a pre-purchase inspection done by professionals like Greasemonkey Inspectors. This will help you avoid costly mistakes.
Don’t risk buying a damaged vehicle—let us help you make a smart, informed decision. Explore our Inspection Packages to see how we can assist you.