logo
How to avoid buying a flood-damaged vehicle, following heavy rains in NJ

How to avoid buying a flood-damaged vehicle, following heavy rains in NJ

Yahoo19-07-2025
Storms swamped streets, cars, and homes this week as heavy rain brought flooding across New Jersey. Images of cars submerged along roads and highways were plastered all over social media.
The floodwaters may have receded, but they left another challenge for future car-buyers: how to avoid buying a compromised vehicle.
'Vehicles damaged by floods have often ended up in the marketplace being sold to unsuspecting consumers,' warns a tip sheet on spotting flood-damaged cars from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
It's important that consumers know if a car they are buying has water damage because these can have major electrical problems, which can be costly to repair, adds AAA.
Tips for spotting a flood-damaged car
If you are looking to purchase a car, here are some signs of water damage you can spot before you buy, courtesy of the DCA:
Smell for any musty or moldy smells.
Test all the electronic components of the car.
Look for watermarks as well as dirt and sand throughout the car's interior. Check under seats and the dashboard as well as in the engine bay and trunk.
See if there's condensation in the vehicle's taillights and headlights.
Search for rusting screws and springs as well as for rust around the rim of the spare tire.
Consumers can also look up the vehicle's VIN number to check its condition and history through an approved National Motor Vehicle Title Information Systems Data provider. Getting a mechanic to inspect the vehicle before purchasing isn't a bad idea either.
"The vehicle history report may disclose that the vehicle's title has received a 'flood' brand (as well as reveal any prior accidents or odometer discrepancies)," the Division said.
Watch out for 'title washing'
Still, important information like flood damage can be removed from a car's record through a process called title washing, which can happen if the vehicle is moved from one state to another, according to automotive website Kelley Blue Book.
"The best defense is a good offense," Kelley Blue Book advised. "It also pays to complement a vehicle history check with a thorough inspection by a trusted and certified mechanic."
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: How to tell if a car has been damaged in a flood, NJ drivers
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

A More Affordable EV Won't Save Tesla
A More Affordable EV Won't Save Tesla

Yahoo

time7 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

A More Affordable EV Won't Save Tesla

Key Points Tesla fell 5% after hours on its second-quarter earnings report. Some investors saw production of a new, more affordable vehicle as a positive sign. The company launched its robotaxi network in June. These 10 stocks could mint the next wave of millionaires › Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) issued another disappointing earnings report on Tuesday. Switch Auto Insurance and Save Today! Affordable Auto Insurance, Customized for You The Insurance Savings You Expect Great Rates and Award-Winning Service The leading electric vehicle (EV) maker finished the after-hours session down 5%, but the sell-off could have been worse. The company reported a decline in both sales and profit. Revenue was down 12% to $22.5 billion, and adjusted net income was down 23% to $1.39 billion, or $0.40 per share. Those numbers actually topped a muted revenue estimate at $22.13 billion, while the bottom-line consensus matched the results at $0.40. Tesla's problems have been well-documented at this point. CEO Elon Musk's turn in the political spotlight seemed to backfire after his relationship with President Donald Trump went sour. Due in part to Musk's involvement with politics, the brand has become unappealing in the eyes of some potential buyers, leading to a 16% decline in automotive revenue. Sales have plunged in Europe, and the company is losing ground to more affordable Chinese EVs. One seemingly bright spot Musk has a long history of overcoming weak results by telling investors what they want to hear on the earnings call, including making big promises about its robotaxi network and other initiatives in autonomy like its Optimus robot. He seemed to do that again on the latest earnings call, with some comments about the more affordable model he has long promised, which some have dubbed the Tesla Model 2. Musk said that the company started production of the vehicle in June and is ramping up production now. He added: "The goal with those products was not to negatively impact revenue or gross margin, but just to make a car that everyone loves and wants at a more affordable price." Musk has long argued that price competition was one of the biggest headwinds facing the company, but the brand crisis seems to have overshadowed that. By introducing its own lower-priced model, Tesla may end up cannibalizing its more expensive vehicles. Customers may be choosing between a more expensive Tesla and that lower-priced model, rather than another brand. The new vehicle is just a cheaper Model Y, rather than a brand-new vehicle model. The robotaxi initiative The biggest reason Tesla has maintained its premium valuation even as sales and profits have tumbled is that investors believe that Tesla's robotaxi network could go mainstream, fulfilling Musk's long-term vision. However, the robotaxi has gotten off to only a modest start after launching in June, and it seemed to get less attention on Tuesday's earnings call, though Musk reminded the audience: "As you can tell, autonomy is the story." Management said that robotaxis in Austin, Texas have topped 7,000 miles with no significant safety interventions. The company is aiming to launch the robotaxi in the San Francisco Bay Area next. Tesla needs growth in its core business Investors have bid up Tesla stock on hopes for its initiatives in robotaxis and more affordable vehicles, but the company needs to return to growth in selling EVs for the stock to be successful over the long term. The decline in EV sales is a reflection of a backlash against Tesla's brand. The company is also expected to struggle over the next few quarters due to the elimination of the EV tax credit and a change in other federal policies that supported EV adoption. The company also faces a $300 million effect from tariffs. Tesla could get back on track, especially if the robotaxi network takes off. But the current valuation in the stock leaves little room for upside if it does, especially given the persistent challenges in EV sales. While a more affordable vehicle might be a step in the right direction, it seems more likely to undercut demand for Tesla's more expensive vehicles, rather than competing with alternatives. Should you buy stock in Tesla right now? The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $636,628!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $1,063,471!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,041% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 183% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of July 21, 2025 Jeremy Bowman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. A More Affordable EV Won't Save Tesla was originally published by The Motley Fool Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

‘I Charge Them More Every Single Time:' Tech Reveals 1 Quality Guaranteed to Make Your Mechanic Hate You
‘I Charge Them More Every Single Time:' Tech Reveals 1 Quality Guaranteed to Make Your Mechanic Hate You

Motor 1

time11 minutes ago

  • Motor 1

‘I Charge Them More Every Single Time:' Tech Reveals 1 Quality Guaranteed to Make Your Mechanic Hate You

A mechanic who goes by Claw Boss (@reelclawboss) on Instagram shared a customer pet peeve: Asking non-stop questions while he works. And it seems like there are more than a few other folks in the craft who share his mindset. The auto tech's short clip is set to the tune of a song that repeatedly implores a person to 'shut the [expletive] up,' as part of its hook. Pairing this tune with the text overlay in their clip, along with a group of dancing chickens, intones that the service tech isn't a fan of this particular client interaction. 'We all have that one customer. Stands in the shop while you're working on their car and won't stop asking questions,' he captions Commenters Were Divided Folks had differing opinions on the clients they render service to in their respective auto businesses. One person remarked that a patron has the right to ask questions since they're the one paying for their car to be fixed. 'Customer's car, customer's paying,' one said. However, there was another Instagram user who seemed to concur with Claw Boss's commentary on the chatty individuals who roll into his shop. They said, 'Best part of our shop: Only staff allowed in shop.' Another person, who said that they were an auto tech themselves, echoed the aforementioned sentiment. According to them, they've never been employed in an automotive service center that allowed customers to watch the work techs were doing. 'Never in my life have I seen a shop allow customers in the shop,' they penned. 'I be on the other side of the glass like *hey, did you make sure to torq that bolt!? While I smoke my dart and continue to stare. Lol all jokes aside I do enjoy watching and learning.' But this didn't appear to be par the course for all folks getting their cars fixed. One person who got their vehicle's air conditioning system repaired expressed that they were grateful to watch their mechanic fix the issue. Moreover, they said the tech was forthcoming about the work he was completing. 'My mechanic let me watch him do my AC for my truck. I asked a few questions and he didn't mind. He seemed to like that I was trying to learn,' they said. Other Mechanics Sound Off It seems like Claw Boss wasn't the only service tech who took to social media to decry this specific customer behavior. YouTuber Barricade Garage also professed he wasn't too fond of someone looking over his shoulder while he was working on a car. In a caption for his video that touches on this same topic, he writes, 'most mechanics usually want to be left unbothered when working on your vehicle.' Additionally, Redditors in this r/MechanicAdvice post also discussed this same client phenomenon. The thread's original poster wanted to know if it was considered poor manners on his part to watch the tech replace the tires on his vehicle. One person remarked that the practice is 'a touchy subject with a lot of shops,' due to how different customers react to the work being performed on their vehicle. They said that customers might try to nickel-and-dime labor time, not considering that a mechanic who has accrued decades of experiencing fixing problems is able to rectify a problem more quickly than a less experienced tech. Thus, their complaints about inaccurate labor times are invalidated. To drive this point home, they shared an anecdote about a client who went 'ballistic' for being billed for 30 minutes of labor on a muffler replacement. They said the tech swapped out the component in around five minutes and asked why they were charged for 30 minutes of labor instead. Following this, the Reddit user explained to the customer, 'The guy who just put your muffler on has almost 30 years' exhaust experience. And has it down to an art. If I'd known you wanted to wait longer I would have done it myself - I'm a diagnostic tech and really bad at exhaust. It takes me forever,' they wrote. Some Mechanics Don't Mind Watchful Customers Another commenter in the same Reddit thread said it all boils down to the type of person who is watching them perform their work. This user said, 'I don't mind people watching because they are curious.' Although, when they begin to chime in with their own repair strategies, or when they reference other handy people they know, that's when they begin to take issue with sideline commentary. 'Don't call me a liar, and don't bring it to me to fix it if you trust [someone else] so much,' they penned. In this Quora post, some auto techs argued that barring customers from entering the shop area boils down to potential safety concerns. They said that due to heavy machinery, car lifts, and an array of moving parts, clients could be at risk of bodily harm. In order to mitigate these possible incidents from occurring and any legal actions that could be levied against the shop, many service centers will bar folks from watching their cars being worked on. Motor1 has reached out to the Claw Boss via Instagram direct message for further comment. Now Trending 'That's Exactly Why:' Florida Driver Gets Stuck Behind Toyota That Won't Turn on Green Light. She Says It's an Insurance Scam 'Don't Feel Comfortable Allowing You:' Colorado Woman Tells Discount Tire She Can't Afford Tires. Their Reply Is Shocking Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )

It's all Alex Palou in dominant IndyCar Laguna Seca race win
It's all Alex Palou in dominant IndyCar Laguna Seca race win

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

It's all Alex Palou in dominant IndyCar Laguna Seca race win

There was never any doubt. On a weekend where Pato O'Ward hoped to apply pressure and gain championship ground, frontrunner Alex Palou snatched the pole and marched off to a comfortable win to draw close to his fourth NTT IndyCar Series title. Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Palou was the class of the field Sunday, leading 84 of 95 laps. California's own Nolan Siegel held the top spot for 11 laps on an alternate strategy early on, but Palou surged past him on lap 37 and never looked back, becoming the first IndyCar competitor with an eight-win season since 2007. With the win and O'Ward finishing fourth, Palou extended his championship advantage to 121 points with just three races remaining. 'What an amazing job by everybody at CGR, Honda, DHL, for giving us everything we needed to be as fast as we were,' Palou said. 'It's been an awesome weekend, awesome year overall. But today was something else. 'Super fun to be here. (It's) one of my favorite tracks, for sure. I couldn't be happier right now.'Christian Lundgaard followed in second, pitting earlier than his rivals and using the undercut to rise up from seventh over the first three stints. The Dane had pace, but couldn't take advantage of two late cautions to make moves on Palou, taking the checkered flag 3.7965 seconds behind his No. 10 Honda. Colton Herta, Andretti Global Colton Herta wrapped up the podium in third, with O'Ward fourth and Scott Dixon parlaying another off-sequence, fuel-saving strategy to fifth from 19th. Callum Ilott, Will Power, Marcus Armstrong, Christian Rasmussen and Scott McLaughlin wrapped up the top 10. Sunday's race brought early drama, with one caution-free incident on lap 1 and another that did bring out the yellow when Kyffin Simpson and Felix Rosenqvist crashed into the tire barrier at the end of turn 6. Another caution flew just 10 laps later when Jacob Abel crashed alone with brake issues in turn 2. That set the stage for an attrition-filled race, but it didn't ultimately come to fruition. A caution flew when Rinus VeeKay was trapped in the turn 3 runoff after a misjudged lunge from Kyle Kirkwood, but the race proceeded to go green through the rest of the pit sequence. Two late cautions added late intrigue, but there were minimal shifts over the final laps. Only Marcus Ericsson, Abel and Simpson failed to reach the checkered flag. The IndyCar field will return to action for the Grand Prix of Portland on Aug. 10. It will be the final road course race of the 2025 season. To read more articles visit our website.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store