Yes, many cars damaged in hurricanes and floods are resold

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Parts of Tampa Bay have been left underwater from recent heavy rainfall due to Hurricane Debby and other storms.

In addition to property and homes, the flooding damaged many vehicles, which can impact current and future owners.

Some VERIFY viewers wondered if those flood-damaged vehicles always wind up in junkyards.

THE QUESTION

Can flood-damaged vehicles be resold?

THE SOURCES

• Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
• Florida statute on vehicle titles
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• Carfax
• Consumer Reports

THE ANSWER

Yes, many vehicles damaged in hurricanes and flooding are repaired and resold.

RELATED: Tampa Bay area dealing with damaged vehicles after Wednesday's severe floods

WHAT WE FOUND

Flooding damages and destroys thousands of vehicles each year, and many of those vehicles wind up back on the road, according to Carfax.

The vehicle reporting website compiled data showing nearly 500,000 flooded vehicles were repaired and resold in 2023.

Carfax estimates in Florida as many as 50,000 vehicles damaged in flooding are currently on the road, with many of the current owners unaware of the vehicle’s waterlogged history.

Water damage isn’t always easy to see but it can wreak havoc on a vehicle’s electronic and mechanical systems over time through corrosion, according to Consumer Reports.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says when a vehicle is declared “totaled,” it will receive a new title, called a “salvage” or “flood” title. That vehicle can be legally resold if the defect is noted on the title, the vehicle has been rebuilt, and the vehicle has received a “rebuilt” title.

Florida law requires the vehicle’s title clearly be labeled as flood damaged, the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) says, and dealers must disclose that in writing. But since all states don’t require this, a flood-damaged vehicle from another state can be sold in Florida with a clean title.

If the vehicle is titled in Florida, you can use the FLHSMV’s Motor Vehicle Information Check to confirm the vehicle description and check for prior issues.

You can also use the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) to find information about a vehicle’s condition and history.