Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
Manitoba Public Insurance is advising used vehicle buyers to be aware that flood-damaged vehicles from the American eastern seaboard could find their way into the Manitoba market.
It’s estimated that nearly 700,000 vehicles were flooded or heavily damaged due to hurricane Sandy, which recently ravaged several states including New York and New Jersey.
If early damage estimates are accurate, the hurricane would be the single largest disaster to ever impact U.S. vehicles.
“Buyers should be aware of what they are purchasing,” said Ward Keith, MPI’s registrar of motor vehicles.
“A flood-damaged vehicle can be dangerous. Water can enter electronic components of vehicles, causing corrosion and malfunctioning of important safety features such as airbags. There may also be health concerns because of mould and other toxins.”
If properly branded as flood-damaged, the registrar of imported vehicles will mark vehicles as “irreparable” when entering Canada, meaning they can’t be registered for road use, Keith said.
The challenge for consumers is identifying flood-damaged vehicles that have not been branded due to the vehicle owner not opening an insurance claim.
While Manitoba Public Insurance is not aware of any of these vehicles having been imported to the province, consumers can check the history of a vehicle from the U.S. by going to this free service: carproof.com/free-flood-damage-check.aspx.
A VIN search is only one of the steps a person should take before purchasing a used vehicle.
Here are a few more:
• Have the vehicle inspected by a trusted and certified automotive technician before purchase.
• Check for damp or musty odours.
• Check for any signs of rust or mud in the trunk, glove box and beneath the seats.
• Check under the hood and look for a water line marked by mud or silt.
» Submitted
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition November 27, 2012
We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.
You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.
Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.
The Brandon Sun does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. Comments are moderated before publication. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Manitoba Public Insurance is advising used vehicle buyers to be aware that flood-damaged vehicles from the American eastern seaboard could find their way into the Manitoba market.
It’s estimated that nearly 700,000 vehicles were flooded or heavily damaged due to hurricane Sandy, which recently ravaged several states including New York and New Jersey.
Already subscribed? Login to view full article.
Not yet a subscriber? Click Here to Signup
Manitoba Public Insurance is advising used vehicle buyers to be aware that flood-damaged vehicles from the American eastern seaboard could find their way into the Manitoba market.
It’s estimated that nearly 700,000 vehicles were flooded or heavily damaged due to hurricane Sandy, which recently ravaged several states including New York and New Jersey.
A subscription to the Brandon Sun Newspaper is required to view this article. Please update your user information if you are already a newspaper subscriber.
Most Popular
Sort by: Newest to Oldest | Oldest to Newest | Most Popular 0 Comments
You can comment on most stories on brandonsun.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.