When Hurricane Katrina surged ashore it immersed the Gulf Coast’s vehicle fleet in a poisonous saltwater soup that comprised key components. Two years later, government officials now believe that some 500,000 so-called “Katrina cars” have since flooded the marketplace – driven by “title washing” that hides their waterlogged origin. Repairers who offer thorough, educated can assist their car-buying customers by providing advice on avoiding a washed-up vehicle. This summer’s widespread flooding has heightened concerns over a new wave of used cars that may look good when superficially cleaned and dried yet contain serious hidden hazards. Shop owners need to be aware that technicians can be at risk if proper precautions aren’t taken when working on a suspect vehicle, according to Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR). They could experience serious illness if exposed to parts contaminated by disease-causing pathogens and harmful chemicals. Notwithstanding the biohazard issues, a car’s occupants can face danger in that critical safety systems may suddenly fail and vehicles can inexplicably stall in traffic. Immersion is saltwater can be particularly troublesome to a vehicle’s performance. You’ve probably seen what winter roadsalt can do a rocker panel – imagine what this corrosiveness can do to sensitive electrical connections under the dash. Freshwater from a river can be equally filthy and detrimental to a vehicle’s future roadworthiness “Consumers should be aware that some businesses and individuals may try to sell salvaged and flood-damaged cars without revealing the vehicle history,” says David Claeys, purchasing manager for CarMax in Richmond, Va. “Flood-damaged cars that are not structurally or mechanically sound could be repaired, re-titled, and sold to unsuspecting buyers.” Consumer advocates and government officials representing each side of the political spectrum are calling for an effective national database to reliably identify a flood car and keep it off the road forever. Pending passage of such a mandate, however, advisories continue to be issued. Recent media accounts by USA Today and ABC News have drawn renewed attention to the situation, focusing on the risks to people who buy cars that have survived a flood only to become a rolling “time bomb” to those riding in them. “Even without the influx of Katrina-damaged cars, thousands of wrecked, flooded or stolen automobiles are sold every year with clean titles to unsuspecting consumers,” says U.S. Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) Lott, who lost his home and a car to Katrina, has become an outspoken proponent of putting a plug in title washing. “This situation persists because many states’ motor vehicle title laws are confusing or incomplete. Right now there is no single nationwide database which tags all problem vehicles. In some states, including Mississippi, unscrupulous folks are able to practice ‘title washing,’ in which a car with a salvage title is reissued a clear title,” Lott points out. “This legislation is particularly needed in Katrina’s wake, but it’s hardly a new problem,” he asserts. “An estimated half million vehicles were damaged by Katrina, and there is evidence that these cars are being cleaned up and sold to unsuspecting consumers. A number of these cars are unsafe and shouldn’t be on the roads. And folks are overpaying for vehicles they believe are mechanically sound. To the untrained eye, they appear to be in good shape,” Lott adds. “On the surface, these cars may look just fine, but underneath the hood and dashboard there could be all kinds of problems,” he says. “Today’s automobiles are laden with complex electronics and computer systems very susceptible to moisture. They don’t just ‘dry out.’ The damage may not manifest itself until after you’ve bought the car.” “Once a vehicle has been flood-damaged, many critical auto safety features are compromised,” concurs Glenn D. Turner, chief of staff at the Florida Division of Motor Vehicles “If a consumer unwittingly purchases one of these potential road hazards, they are jeopardizing their safety, and the safety of others.” A detailed explanation from CCAR is available here: http://www.ccar-greenlink.org/CCAR/Statement%20on%20Flooded%20Vehicles-1.4.pdf For an extended version of this story, see the News Network section in the October issue of ABRN.
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