Beware of flood-damaged cars

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- When vehicles are damaged by severe storms or floodwaters, they don’t always end up in a junkyard. 

Some of them end up on a used car lot without all of the needed repairs. 

“Scammers will often take cars from regions that have been flooded, say Houston or Florida, or the East Coast,” Patrick Olsen, editor-in-chief of CARFAX, said.  

Those are just some of the areas affected by heavy rains, flood waters and hurricanes over the last several weeks, damaging homes, businesses and personal property – like vehicles. 

Watch: Beware of sellers peddling flood-damaged cars

Olsen said that doesn’t stop shady sellers from trying to move the merchandise and make some money. 

Data from CARFAX shows that last year, more than half a million -- 543,000 -- water-damaged cars were on roadways across the country, including in Ohio. 

"They will clean up those cars and look showroom fresh, and then they'll move them all over the country,” Olsen said. 

At first glance, problems with a previously flooded car may not be apparent, so he suggests taking a closer look before you buy.