Should I Buy a Flooded Car? Are Water Damaged Cars Good? Buying a Salvage Car at IAA and Copart

Welcome to Salvage Secrets Show #003! Today we are going to discuss Flooded and Water Damaged Cars. One of the most common questions I get from people considering buying a salvage car is "Should I buy a water damaged car?" "Is buying a flood car a good idea?" "Are flooded cars safe?"
In this video I explain what I learned after buying hundreds of flooded and water damaged cars! I'll show you two main things you have to look for when buying flooded cars and how to inspect a water damaged car to avoid huge money pits and headaches later. Enjoy!
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[@SalvageSecrets]

If you enjoyed this video please join our FREE private Facebook group called Salvage Secrets here: bit.ly/34uQBr8 for more! I usually go Live in the group every week and discuss everything you need to know to buy and sell salvage cars profitably. You can ask me questions too! Thanks for watching.

[@IvanAColon]

Great information and honest truths about his knowledge. I am working to get a GMC truck for work and your common sense is appreciated.

[@wilsonochoamedina2261]

Excellent! If I want to buy a flooded Mercedes Benz GLC320d 2020 what do you recommend? Maybe this models have more sensors than that Nissan you show. You got my like. Thanks.

[@vaibhavgodse6707]

will company fitted CNG will get effected by flood, (hyundai aura)? Should I buy it?

[@emmanueljustin918]

When you say salt water, are you referring to ocean water? Would rain flood be considered fresh water?

[@Detunjiprimo]

Hi, how do I reach you by direct massaging?

[@itsxngel786]

I wanna hear this guy say "That's a spicy meatball" lol

[@SalvageSecrets]

Hahaha I’ll make sure I say it in one of the new videos.. Stay tuned! )

[@noblerdentertainment9812]

💯😂😂😂

[@Khenzo]

He’s Russian not Italian 😂😂😂

[@mackjack4642]

😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ManWithAPlan83]

LMFAO 😂

[@josepholiver6733]

I’ll never intentionally buy a salt water flood car but fresh water I can take a chance on depending on how hi the water was

[@derekaryeetey9605]

one of the best advice i have heard from a car dealer! thanks

[@punishthewicked5845]

I believe I had a flood car years back was not told about it but it gave me tons of headaches just too many connections so unless it’s a great deal and a project forget it most wire have microscopic holes in their insulation and copper breaks down when submerged.

[@aaronmcdonald4944]

Extremely helpful, beyond expectation. Thank you

[@theSilvioRoesler]

Thanks for sharing your expertise!

[@freddywells5785]

Great advice sir! I buy 90% of my car lot inventory from IAA and Copart with nice light damaged flood cars with low flood water lines to be some of my best buys. Again, your video is 100% accurate. Kudos.

[@SalvageSecrets]

Yep, flood cars with little or no water inside are some one the best ones to buy! One tip I forgot to mention in the video, which I’m sure you know, is to always try to inspect these cars in person before buying or hire an inspector! It’s very hard to tell from the pictures how bad was the damage.. Thanks for watching!

[@freddywells5785]

@@SalvageSecrets I agree. I check out everything myself and am an inspector at the Tulsa, OK Copart yard. You ever venture out and find one this way your interested in, give me a shout and I'll inspect it for you.

[@SalvageSecrets]

@@freddywells5785 Thanks a lot man, I appreciate it!

[@jsavak99]

@@SalvageSecrets Where can I find an inspector to examine the car?

[@jsavak99]

@@freddywells5785 Do you know any reliable inspectors in New York ?

[@devinfurniture9267]

Thanks mate for your effort in making these videos, very informative.

[@asgharafridi3005]

Very helpful info, keep it up !

[@sagiwilliam]

interested!! yeah... Keep the videos coming.

[@thehype3678]

Thanks for the free knowledge 👊🏼

[@joshgutierrez637]

I have a flooding trail blazer this was very informative video on how I am going about the process of this project. Thanks you,

[@sciflyer67]

Great info! Thank you.

[@akmasn9429]

Great explaining, keep going bro. Big Like from Iraq.

[@brutusthebulldog515]

Pretty honest about the pulleys messing up on flood cars.

[@Nick-uh5et]

Thank you for this... Really good content..

[@deshawnmoon35]

Very detailed information about the damage water can do to a engine!

[@djtlotoka]

I loved a stranger but I think 🤔 you are the first one. Great my dude.God bless!

[@robertlohr1860]

Very informative. You answered most of my questions in your short video. The one thing that was not mentioned but understand by watching, you cannot purchase these flood cars on line. You need to physically look the car over for the things you listed. I am pretty sure even being a novice like myself, Corvettes would be very difficult as flood cars, being so low to the ground and limited space for placement of wires, it must be a jungle of wiring under the seats….lastly, your name please, thank you once again. One last question, is there a service that would act on your behalf in reviewing flood cars for a positive ending….?

[@merrickjones7718]

Thank you, sir keep up the good information!!!

[@topdawg1692]

Great Honesty 👍 👌

[@vanthang2139]

Thank you , you give me alot of knowledge.

[@jsavak99]

Great video. Learned alot. I shouldnt buy from an auction unless I can inspect for these issues. And Lastly I should take a course on automobiles

[@deamac]

Thank you so much for the free knowledge!!!

[@yvettesimmons5445]

Great info

[@arizaristeo8479]

Good information. Thank you!

[@theinvestmentcorner4914]

This is really good information

[@chrislowe5575]

Is there a general rule of thumb on freshwater flood valuation on a vehicle? Like what percentage off of retail or off of private party value?

[@HeyzenGuevara]

Hey dude, thanks so much for sharing you knowledge. Helpful 👏🏼 Washington State

[@israelgarcia1222]

Thanks for the video, that is some great advise.

[@DelacruzDigital]

Thank you for this great video, I will use the tips in it when looking at used cars in the coming days

[@mohammadshahrahimi1986]

Great and useful tips...

[@NGlitchesFTW]

I just realized your 5 min away from my house bro lmfaooo thats the advanced autoparts in valley stream no? Lolll

[@MalcolmCrouch]

Find him and make him say "that's a spicey meatball!"

[@AlgisAudiFan]

I allways watch your videos. I like the secrets and the fact that you show some important stuff from your perspective. Good luck on your futre projects and I hope to see some interesting stuff in the future.

[@SalvageSecrets]

Thank you so much! Be sure to subscribe to our Facebook group too - the link is in the description..

[@kingofuseddurablecars.ls6040]

@anonymous Hell No

[@siarheivashkouski1557]

Hey, I actually know the dude who own the black Highlander you showed on this video. He is extremely happy with it.

[@sefefaroro]

Thanks for this video it's very informative 👍

[@jorgerosales609]

Thanks my Friend.... Great video

[@zeomarmob]

Corrosion happens only on positive terminals of connectors or electronics, the airbag connectors don’t corrode because there is only 2v running trough them which is not enough for electrolysis, negative don’t corrode, because it receives the deposition. Most people talk about flood cars that don’t know anything about cars altogether.

[@zeomarmob]

@@sameeraiq_ That is not what I meant. To restore flood car requires intricate knowledge, to restore it properly. Its a long discussion. And would be hard to respond in here. When car is restored, then it’s restored. There is many people on the market that fix flood cars that don’t know what they are doing, and when they sell the car it’s not really restored. The statement I made about SRS is just response to a comment made in the video. When you hear on the news channels to run away from flood cars, they don’t know what they are talking about. Where do you think all the flooded cars for past 15 years went? You would be right if you say back on the market. If the statement that all flood cars are terrible and dangerous were true, then this door of restoring flood cars back on the road would be long shut. So in short, if you buy car from a trustworthy and honest person then it is safe. Or if you have the skills to restore car properly. This involves troubleshooting electronics, engine rebuilding. and proper cleaning knowledge. If you buy a car from auction and the water turned out to be inside the engine. Then it’s all coming out and apart, the way you see fools rebuilding water damaged Maserati on KZbin by just cleaning things up and draining water and flushing the engine is not enough. The reason for that is that the two months while car was sitting on the auction lot with water inside rust the cylinder walls. When they flush the engine they don’t remove rust. The piston rings scrape the rust off. That abrasive rust residue goes through the main bearing with oil consuming them in no time. Then engine overheats ceases bearings and blows the sides. Witch exactly what happened to them within 50 miles after flood repair. So basically this was not a repair since they did not repair damages from water, all they did is got it to the point where it fixed enough where it ran. Good thing it blew while they had it and not after they sold it.

[@roman9762]

@@zeomarmob If we look at this video for example, would you call their approach properly restored? I would say no. I'm pretty sure the seat belt pretensioner/igniters were not designed to sit in water for any period of time, these guys clearly didn't replace those. Will it work when in an accident? Maybe... maybe not. Did they just clean the carpet and put it back in or did they replace the pad and carpet? Likely not, with his "$500 dollar repairs" comments. I would say this is more of a hack job than anything else. There will be no issues with the car for a couple of years, but the damage will eventually surface by which point they will have washed their hands of it. That is the issue with most dealers, they have no clue of the issues down the road, they only see the first couple of months as problems, the rest they don't acknowledge.

[@douglasfoley2060]

I wanna hear this guy say “i once saw him kill three men with a pencil......a fuckin pencil.” 😭😭😭😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣

[@vairadiology]

Thank you for the video. Very informative

[@BEAUTYnIQ]

super informativer video.. I was sooo apprehensive about buying one but now I feel more informed .. might! buy one not sure yet, but at least I know more about it.. thanx!

[@dalehaggart407]

I have been trying to get a red max from copart .They are a good looking car ! You are closer to the flood cars, for me the shipping is dear.

[@zeljkodjukic5889]

Good job..keep making good you tubes more..thank you

[@MobileYamTechNC]

Awesome video - Thank you! Question - do you trust the "waterline" mark that the insurance company often puts on the door?

[@SalvageSecrets]

Nope.. Those are rarely accurate. It’s always best to inspect flood cars in person before buying!

[@SalvageSecrets]

Dev JB Great answer! Thanks for taking the time to reply..

[@williedochee3790]

Very helpful, I’m looking at an M6 out of Georgia before I bid on it I will do a physical inspection thx to you I have a better understanding on to look out for

[@momomoney369]

Great video 🔥🔥🔥

[@richardnapper2074]

There's a lot of things to look for, Good video! Do you have any videos of Cadillac's?

[@workfromhome598]

Awesome video! Thank you! Subbed! ❤

[@sanids421]

Nice video and message...

[@shermancopeland1509]

Thank you for the tip👍🏿💯

[@abdsamman7473]

Hello friend thanks for this amazing helpful video but i have some questions How can i know how the water entered the car, engine or inside both? German cars are always dangerous to buy flooded?

[@lavayou1714]

Very nice. Thank you

[@juanduva5520]

Hello, i have a 2012 bmw 328i. The car was parked at the garage basement, i live in Miami beach and this weekend we got flooded. I don't wanna fix it tru the insurance, i will pay it out of my pocket. Do you recommend me to keep it? Or fix it and sell it? The engine and the AC are good, it was parked and got flooded. Any answer will be more appreciate it. Thanks.

[@awesomeezenwa1072]

Basically all the cars you have are clean cars.. I like your sincerity 👍👍

[@SalvageSecrets]

Thanks man! We do get burned too once in a while but it's just part of the game.. ;)

[@jasminearmstrong2882]

Love the video!! totally helpful and super insightful. Would you recommend purchasing a 2015 chevy cruze thats been in a flood? or is there too much wiring under the carpet? please help. Thank you!

[@daniel71235]

Good content 👌🏿👌🏿

[@discountrentacar]

Do you ever purchase strictly from pictures on Copart or IAA? If so what is a good way to determine water level? Good video

[@influencebaye8916]

U gotta on the site with a good mechanic with experience to check the car before the sale date

[@mikixP]

@@influencebaye8916 mechanic won’t do shjt since you are not able to start or even test drive the car lol .

[@larios86]

@@mikixP hmm yes you are lol at the auctions you can start the car and sometimes even drive it 🤣

[@EuSoumMiTo]

@@mikixP you can start and “drive” 2 feet toward 2 feet backwards.

[@bcwatson0]

@@EuSoumMiTo IAA says don't sit in the car or start the car.

[@pereirasteve2290]

GREAT INSIGHT

[@ip_freely]

Anyone know what types of cars or what brands have many connectors on their floor?

[@backwoodmenace]

Very informative video

[@anthonydiaz8607]

Question my Honda Accord 18 just got totaled by the insurance I drove it through water about a little over the tires no water got in. my car still runs and drives I have a emission check engine light I probably drove it through a mix of rain and sewer water I’m still driving the car I’m debating on changing the canister fixing it and keeping as a salvage what do you think?

[@YesItsFoxxyy]

I’m interested in buying a 2020 flood title vehicle that was rained in, any tips for that?

[@ekekchiobori2275]

Thank you very much for your time and explanations they are helpful. I want to know can you buy a car and ship to the owner abroad?

[@nemeetpatel3223]

Thank you for your video

[@marcs8653]

Hi , thanks for sharing the video . I have a question, should I be concerned about buying a used transmission from a flood damage car? The transmission has 17000 miles on it but I am worried about water going into the transmission, if that is possible.. any input from you would be appreciated.. the transmission is Automatic

[@rojoperro310]

Did you end up getting it?

[@johnvereen7102]

Youre the man! Im buying a Porsche!

[@patackom2117]

Are engine start program as primary damage good?

[@raynyc60]

very informative vid..thank you..listen does your shop repair low flood vehicules..might be interested in the future.thanks

[@peterwilson3733]

Excellent thank you

[@MR80Bertone]

I want to buy a flood car there is a Volvo XC 90 the call Matt shows only about 2 to 3 inches of fresh water do you know what I would have to worry about

[@jwbonnett]

Electronics can be brought back to life with a ultrasonic leaner and some IPA... Remember it's not the water that kills electronics, it's the impurities in the water which can be removed.

[@mohammedmagdy88]

Great info, my car got flooded inside with small water then i clean it and start the engine and it works and car is running now so far for one week but how can i know if there is a water went inside the engine and does the car can run and work in that case ? Pls someone help me -

[@dough-boy9309]

Thanks for the video it was really helpful I just had a question does Japanese cars have a lot of wiring on the floor? Because I want to buy a 1997 Toyota Supra that has been flooded

[@iansrving]

A 1997 Supra doesn't have too much wiring under the carpet. The only places I would check are the speaker wires, and also make note of the water line because if it went above the bottom of the glove box, the ECU is probably fried. I would personally go for it as a Supra is definitely worth saving. However, parts for these cars are not entirely easy to come by so keep that in mind when you search for carpet, upholstery, and other stock electrical components. The aftermarket will be your best friend in this battle. Also, for god's sake don't do what my friend did when he bought a flooded car and immediately crank the engine. Take the damn spark plugs out so if there is water in there it has a place to escape, and you don't bend a rod. If its possible, see the car in person, you will gain a much better perspective of the task at hand. Cheers my friend and don't forget to go single Turbo... No BOV=Eargasm!!!

[@vaibhavgodse6707]

will company fitted CNG will get effected by flood, (hyundai aura)? Should I buy it?

[@emil300100]

my friend but how you register a certificate of distraction ? most of them have this title

[@RockysJourney]

I'm looking at a 2018 Chevrolet equinox premier 35k flood car what should I look for

[@anonymousf454]

Was replacing the compressor related at all to the flooding?

[@adebayoisong9454]

Hello this video and your explanations were superb. what do i do to drive a salvage title car

[@sagiwilliam]

over 100 Flooded cars!! that's a lot. I will be buying some flooded cars!

[@TheRedcroatian]

What is the process to put a salvage/flood car on the road and get a rebuilt title?

[@JW-rv9cy]

Can you tell me a few more of the best cars for buying flood damage? Besides Nissan, which dont have that many connections on the bottom? What are a few cars who's engines are cheaper than most?

[@Fcb-fifa23]

So i bought 2021 volvo xc40 recharge electric and the system comes on when start battery is jumped but when i try to contact it to charger it says error so i can not charge the car in order to drive it, any idea?

[@jaybender7961]

Nassau Long island, NICE!!!!

[@digitalbreakthroughs]

Great info on buying flood cars. Thanks. Next time, omit background music when you’re teaching. It’s distracting.

[@satberhoxhaj3347]

hello i was just looking at 2019 vw passat wolfsberg edition flooded from texas dealer has no idea how high or type of water carfax reported it was flooded in 2019 i drove the car runs and drives brand new and everything seems to be working if there happen to be serious damage should it have been noticeable by now 3 years later i was just wondering what do you think?? thank you

[@pereirasteve2290]

I want to know what you think about flooded hybrid toyota prius 2014 model

[@yoels.]

How could u tell how high the water came up?

[@vivekvardhan5671]

I have got a deal for an 2014 BMW 535i M package (flooded car) and has a 70k miles on it. Can i go for that car ?

[@twincities4336]

Thanks 👍🏽👍🏽

[@alexandresperb4679]

Great video. How dos the insurance works on flooded cars? Is it easy to insure them? Also flooded cars are clean title os salvage? Thanks for your help!

[@kingofuseddurablecars.ls6040]

SALVAGE

[@AnontheGOAT]

Same insurance as any clean title car. The companies don’t care if it’s branded. Anyone who tries to scare you into think it’s any different has never owned a salvage title vehicle.

[@ratikonjaria7648]

how you check how deep it was flooded or what kind of water it was?

[@Grady0783]

Yes, that's the question! How do you know how deep was the car in the water, or what kind of water was it? Please answer this question!

[@jimrusch22]

I’d stay away from any and all of these swimmers. Crazy electrical issues can crop up months or years later. Windows can go up or down in the middle of the night, intermittent ignition problems, loss of fuel delivery, you name it. These cars can be the definition of uncle wiggles crazy car.

[@Tiburon1975]

What kind spray you use for connectors? It’s alcohol based??

[@gokhanelma]

Ok but how know online is it 🤔 fresh water or salty water how to know on online auction ? If there is no any information about that

[@youssofsjourney]

I bought a flooded porche, engine runs but has thick white smoke. What do I do?? Not sure how to fix 😭

[@marydubose7562]

I have a 2006 HHR and went into a pond nosedive could that be restored

[@digital_scanner4174]

I bought cadi cts 2010 flooded. By mistake off course, check engine light is off but skid and abs light is on with check brake notification although the brake is fine. It also showing service all wheel drive. Are these easy fixes?

[@devangsalla4952]

Very well explained..👍 How to detect the flood level of the car? Say if the dealer lies that it was just 2 inches in water but the actual level was different.?

[@SalvageSecrets]

Thanks for the feedback! It’s hard to tell exactly how deep the car was flooded especially after someone already messed with it but a good place to start would be to look under the seats and inspect the plugs to see if there is any corrosion or wiring the was fixed or replaced.. You can also look under the dash and look for signs of corrosion.

[@colinstandley7154]

Hi was wondering if water comes in through the exhaust and seizes engine is that okay?