Used Car Buyers: Beware Flood Mobiles

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CBS News warns that cars flooded during Superstorm Sandy may soon hit the market…

Unscrupulous wholesalers may clean up these cars and ship them to a state not affected in the disaster. “Electrical and mechanical problems often can surface long after the seller is gone,” said consumer advice editor Ronald Montoya of Edmunds.com.

To protect yourself, check with the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System and enter the Vehicle Identification Number of the car you are considering. State records should show if the car has been flooded.

Flooding can cause problems that aren’t immediately obvious, including disabling the airbags. Get the records before you buy.

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