Washed titles

[SNKEBIT]

I have a customers 99 RT here that I would say has been seriously wet. How does one find out if it's been totaled out due to flood? Car was bought from dealer in Fla.

Thanks,
Mitch

p.s. any help would be appreciated, don't know which way to proceed.

 

[dansauto]

1st step is carfax, second is run the vin thru the Florida DMV.

 

[viper spray]

Carfax , have a dealer run the vin, call the previous owner who should be listed on the title or in the Carfax info. or at the DMV

 

[Viper4Christ]

Also hoping in the case of calling the previous owner that he is COMPLETELY honest it what happend to the car and wont try to hide anything.

 

[99 R/T 10]

Call Chuck Tator(but of course, you knew this already ).

 

[JonB]

FL and KY ARE PROBLEMATIC

CARFAX IS BASICALLY USELESS.....I HAVE BOUGHT 3 CARS THIS YEAR WITH CLEAN CARFAX, THAT ARE 2ND-3RD PARTY TOTALLED, EVEN ELIGIBLE FOR CARFAX BUYBACK!

 

[Steve-Indy]

Is the car black??

 

[Jerz Viper]

What a disappointment...I thought this thread was one of Chad's

I looked fast and thought the "l" was and "I" in ***les

Bummer

 

[SNKEBIT]

Is the car black??

LOL Yup!!

 

[silversrt]

Carfax and DMV records are basically useless. Carfax only knows whats reported and DMV...well....there are so many problems with DMV I cant even list them all. Your best bet is to look the car over in great detail. Check under the carpets, look for light surface rust where it shouldnt be. Forget your research and spend your time in physically looking at the car itself. Take it to a mechanic or dealer if need be. Google flood damaged vehicles and see what advice you can find on pinpointing areas to look for.

 

[Steve-Indy]

E-mail me or call me if you like.

 

[SNKEBIT]

E-mail me or call me if you like.

How can I get ahold of you??? pm me

 

[Viperless]

LOL Yup!!

Oh crap.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Good to speak with you, SNKEBIT !

 

[ViperTony]

What a disappointment...I thought this thread was one of Chad's

I looked fast and thought the "l" was and "I" in ***les

Bummer

You made me spill coffee all over my keyboard but that is funny.

 

[97GTS]

Check AutoCheck also. Here in Florida, if the car has been run through an auction like Manheim and they find frame/flood/unibody, they will report it to AutoCheck.

Ron

 

[Steve-Indy]

Could be a "Katrina" car as well.

 

[AZTVR]

I have a customers 99 RT here that I would say has been seriously wet. How does one find out if it's been totaled out due to flood?

Another place to check would be here: https://www.nicb.org/cps/rde/xchg/nicb/hs.xsl/79.htm

Like others have said, a clean history in the electronic databases doesn't mean it's a "clean" car.

 

[michaelnouri]

if its a katrina car and it wasn't brought up to the buyer, somebody will be losing their license for sure, fax me the vin and i will give the state M.U.l.E on the vehicle.
fax; 866-350-1259

 

[SNKEBIT]

Good to speak with you, SNKEBIT !

Likewise, I'm sure!!!!!

 

[SNKEBIT]

heres some pics
http://gallery.viperclub.org/data/500/thumbs/ken_h_99rt_plugs.JPG
http://gallery.viperclub.org/data/500/thumbs/ken_h_99rt_3rd_light.JPG
http://gallery.viperclub.org/data/500/thumbs/ken_h_99rt_pedal_assy.JPG
http://gallery.viperclub.org/data/500/thumbs/ken_h_brake_caliper.JPG


I really wish we could just cut and paste......................

 

[grcforce327]

Mitch,living in the midget world of pics I see!!!

 

[SNKEBIT]

Mitch,living in the midget world of pics I see!!!

beats the hell outta me. I don't know what size they are

 

[Steve-Indy]

Good pics here, Mitch...WORRISOME !!!...regardless of the actual cause.

It would be great if the South Florida Viper folks could help out with this "story".

 

[AZTVR]

heres some pics

Plugs

3rd Brake light

Pedal assembly

Brake bleeder

Looks pretty conclusive that that car sat in water for a while !

 

[JonB]

In the salvager vernacular, "thats a SINKER".....

There was one in the MI CoPart auction recently...even LOOKED like a Katrina car, but did claim flood damage

 

[SNKEBIT]

thnx, AZTVR!

I guess when one smells a rat, there's one close by..............
buying car sight unseen, Bad idea!!!

 

[Got_Vnum]

Man I feel sorry for the poor sap who ends up buying that car.

 

[SNKEBIT]

Man I feel sorry for the poor sap who ended up buying that car.

fixed it for ya.

 

[Got_Vnum]

fixed it for ya.

Ouch. Yeah, I just saw that when I re-read your post. Poor guy.