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Renata Liubertaitė

Many cars that have been submerged in water end up in the hands of buyers who have no idea about their past. While some signs of flood damage are obvious, others can be subtle or cleverly disguised by dishonest sellers, leading to long-term problems.

Fortunately, there are ways you can spot signs of flood damage, including thorough visual inspection and checking the car’s history on 

Reveal them all! Just enter a VIN code and click the button:

Used cars have dark secrets

How can you tell if a car has flood damage?

Knowing how to spot a flood-damaged car is crucial, whether you’re just browsing or about to buy. Many used car sellers try to hide these essential details, but there are some telltale signs that a car has been underwater.

 Faulty electrical systems are often the first sign of water damage. Make sure to test the entertainment system, power windows and mirrors, door locks, and lights to make sure they all work.

 Nearly all electrical systems are connected to the fuse box, typically found under the dashboard, in the boot, or in the engine compartment. The fuse box should be dry, and the fuse connections should be clean and free of corrosion.

 Car bodies are prone to rust from excessive moisture, especially if the car has been exposed to salt water. Carefully inspect the bodywork, paying extra attention to the undercarriage, door trims, badges, and plastic components. Even small bubbles in the paint can signal the presence of rust hidden beneath the paint.

 Ensure the interior is completely dry, especially footwells, seats, and other fabric areas. Soft materials tend to remain wet for a long time, so feel them, particularly in the lower areas of the car. Your hand should come away dry after touching these areas.

 Get inside the car, shut all doors, and take a moment to smell the interior. Damp seats and carpeting often leave behind an unpleasant, mouldy odour that’s difficult to mask, even with air fresheners.

 As floodwater recedes, crannies and crevices in a vehicle often trap dirt and debris that’s hard to reach, especially inside the car. Check for dirt between interior plastic parts and under the seats. Dirty (but not dusty) areas may be a sign that the vehicle has been flooded.

 It’s always a good idea to have an independent mechanic inspect the car. Not only can they spot potential mechanical issues, but they may also detect additional signs of flood damage.

Some severely flood-damaged cars can be sold for up to 50% less. Used car salesmen buy them for next to nothing, resell them for a relatively low price, and still make a hefty profit. Always remember that a suspiciously low price usually has a reason behind it.

Get a carVertical report to learn about possible exposure to floods and other damage

You can learn whether a vehicle could have been located in a flooded area by getting a carVertical vehicle history report. This can make you more aware of such a possibility and prompt you to inspect specific car areas. Moreover, our reports can highlight records from other 

Pay attention to the impact score, which indicates how severe the event was based on data from the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS).

You can also use information in other sections of the carVertical report to learn about water damage. For example, look at historical photos and check for fogged-up headlights, a suspiciously clean engine compartment, or water level signs inside the car.

Another option is to check for water-related title brands (e.g., Flood) in the “

” section (for cars that are in or imported from the US).

 that you can typically find stamped on the bottom of the windshield, driver’s side door pillar, front end of the frame, or vehicle’s documents.

Avoid costly problems by checking a vehicle's history. Get a report instantly!

Check your VIN

Water is a great conductor and a key component for the formation of rust, which spells trouble when it gets into the wrong parts of a car. When submerged, water can seep into every crevice, causing 

 Although electrical connectors and control units are typically sealed, they aren’t waterproof, allowing water to penetrate the most sensitive areas of the vehicle.

Drying out a flooded car takes days, and even then, there 

may be irreversible damage, such as oxidised wires, mouldy seats, or a sagging headliner.

 Water trapped in tight spaces can remain inaccessible for months, leading to 

electrical problems, recurring mould, and unpleasant odours.

Ideally, a flooded car should be completely dismantled, with all electrical wires disconnected and the interior taken apart, only to be put back together once everything fully dries out. Unfortunately, used car sellers often don’t invest that much time and effort, choosing to sell damaged cars instead.

Note that there’s always a huge risk to buy a flood-damaged car – even if it seems all the damage is fixed, there’s always the possibility that certain parts will deteriorate and break down over time.

Whether a flood-damaged car can be repaired – and whether it’s practical or cost-effective – depends on the severity of the damage and the specific systems affected.

What to inspect in a car to spot potential water damage

If the flooding was minor, such as water rising only to the floorboards, the damage may be limited to carpeting, upholstery, and some electrical components, which are not that complicated to clean or repair.

Water reaching the dashboard or higher is a bigger issue already. It can significantly affect electrical systems, engine components, and the transmission. These types of damage require more extensive repairs and could be very costly.

If the car was completely submerged, the water may have damaged critical systems such as the engine, transmission, and electronic control units (ECUs), which might require a complete overhaul or replacement. In addition to the fact that the cost of these repairs may sometimes exceed the vehicle's value, it’s also important to consider the vehicle’s long-term reliability when deciding whether to repair it.

In most cases, no. While you might take a risk on a flooded antique or rare car for restoration purposes, choosing a flooded car as your daily driver is likely a bad idea. Although the lower price may seem tempting, you could end up spending more than expected to ensure the car is safe and reliable.

However, if you come across a flooded car and still want to buy it, negotiate the price as much as possible to ensure you’re getting a decent deal.

Which car parts are the most vulnerable to flood damage?

What damage does a flood do to a car?

At what level of water is a car considered flooded and ruined?

Can flood damage be repaired properly?

Are flood vehicles worth buying?

How to detect signs of flood damage in cars

Evaldas Zabitis

Buying a used car can be a great way to save money, but it’s important to know exactly what you're getting. Some used cars could be ex-taxis, police vehicles, or former rentals – cars that typically have more wear and tear and are worth less.

Sellers don’t always disclose this information, which can make it difficult for buyers to make informed decisions. That’s why it’s crucial to know how to spot a former taxi, ensuring you invest in a reliable vehicle that won’t surprise you with costly repairs later on.

Don't risk your safety - check it with carVertical first

Looks can be deceiving!

Why buying an ex-taxi car can be a bad idea

Taxis in service go through a pretty unique set of driving conditions that differ a lot from regular personal vehicles.

They often operate in 12 hour shifts, with their engines running for longer periods, sometimes idling for hours. This constant use doesn't allow the engine to rest, which naturally leads to greater wear and tear over time.

Possible issues with purchasing an ex-taxi car:

: Taxis accumulate mileage very quickly, often driving three to four times more than typical cars within the same age range.

: Idling for longer periods stops the engine from reaching optimal (higher) temperatures, which causes carbon buildup in the fuel system and combustion chambers.

: Frequent stop-and-go driving in urban environments strains the suspension system and clutch, leading to premature wear.

: Insurance companies often classify ex-taxis as higher-risk vehicles, which results in increased premiums for you.

: While taxis are usually well maintained, it’s impossible for routine maintenance to address all the potential issues arising from intensive use.

Ex-taxis can be worth the buy. They’re often cheaper than other cars, but it’s crucial to know you’re buying an ex-taxi and to be aware of the risks.

You can check if a car was used as a taxi with carVertical

 are an extremely valuable tool for used car buyers. carVertical can provide extensive reports that reveal a car's past usage, including whether it was used as a taxi, police vehicle, or rental car.

We can tell you a lot more, however, including damage records, ownership changes, past photos, and mileage history.

Verifying the mileage is absolutely critical when buying a used car, because mileage can be a strong indicator of the vehicle’s condition. As a matter of fact, high-mileage vehicles (such as ex-taxis), may be more likely to have a fake mileage to appear more appealing to buyers.

, mileage fraud affects a significant number of used cars, making a history report even more essential.

6 signs a car may have been a taxi in the past

Taxis often operate in 12 hour shifts, with their engines running for longer periods, sometimes idling for hours. This constant use doesn't allow the engine to rest, which naturally leads to greater wear and tear over time.

Certain models are more likely to be ex-taxis than others. These include the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Toyota Prius, Toyota Corolla, Škoda Octavia, or Škoda Superb. Yet there are more signs the car you’re looking at was a taxi once.

Taxi companies often follow strict maintenance schedules to keep their vehicles on the road as much as possible. If a car's service records seem more frequent than usual, it could be a sign it had a past life as a taxi. Regular servicing can definitely be positive, but excessive maintenance may indicate heavy usage.

 for its age is a clear red flag. Taxis accumulate kilometers quickly due to constant operation – up to 3-4x higher mileage than regular cars.

Be wary of vehicles with mileage that doesn’t seem to match up with their condition or age – remember that odometer rollbacks are a common practice among unscrupulous sellers. For more information on detecting mileage fraud, you can read this guide.

Intensive use from being used as a taxi leads to noticeable extra wear on interior components. Check carefully for signs such as:

Worn steering wheel, gear stick, and pedals

Worn seats, especially rear seats (which usually show significantly less wear than front seats)

Drill holes or any adhesive/glue residue on the dashboard where taxi meters and other equipment may have been installed.

Wear on the rear door trims and back of the front seats from frequent passenger use.

Many taxis are bought or painted in distinctive colors, such as yellow, to be easily identifiable. If a car has an unusual color, it could have been repainted to hide its taxi history. Carefully inspect the paintwork for any inconsistencies, especially around the door frames. Be cautious of cars with vinyl wrap as well – sellers sometimes use this cost-effective method to change a car's appearance.

Check the condition of the paint around rear door handles and entry points, as these areas may have more scratches or worn paint due to constant use. Additionally, look for darker spots or marks on the roof where a taxi sign might have been mounted, or on the doors where stickers are often applied

Before selling their cars, taxi companies often deep-clean the interiors, sometimes removing seats and carpets for pressure washing. If you notice any moisture, dampness, or a strong cleaning agent smell inside the car, it might be a freshly cleaned ex-taxi.

Ex-taxis can be worth the buy. They’re often cheaper than other cars, but it’s crucial to know you’re buying an ex-taxi and be aware of the risks.

These cars are much more likely to need repairs due to accelerated wear and tear. Furthermore, the resale value of ex-taxis is generally lower, which could affect you in the future.

If you're still considering an ex-taxi, a 

 is an important step to help you assess its condition thoroughly. However, in the majority of cases, it might be wiser to invest a bit more in a vehicle without a taxi service history to guarantee reliability and give greater peace of mind.

How do you check if a car is an ex-taxi?

Can you insure an ex-taxi car?

Are ridesharing vehicles considered taxis as well?

Would an ex-taxi have more issues?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to identify a taxi when looking for a used car

Car mileage is an important indicator that can give you valuable insights about a vehicle’s condition. For this, it's critical to know how to break down the data you’re looking at in the most sensible way.

carVertical is committed to uncovering the truth behind a car's mileage, helping you quickly discover possible signs of odometer fraud and other issues.

Read on to understand what’s going on behind the mileage curves, and how they can help you make a decision when buying a used car.

Enter a VIN code to learn more about any vehicle!

Need help buying a used car?

total distance a vehicle has traveled throughout its lifespan and is commonly measured in kilometers or miles.

It’s recorded by the car's odometer, which has numbers visible on the dashboard, typically located around the speedometer area. This data is usually recorded on occasions such as registration, during regular maintenance or repairs, vehicle inspections, and when changing ownership.

A vehicle’s condition is significantly influenced by the distance it has traveled over time. Here’s how mileage affects different aspects of a car:

 Typically, a higher mileage indicates that important parts such as the engine, transmission, and suspension have experienced increased usage, potentially resulting in greater wear and tear.

 Mileage is crucial for a car's maintenance schedule, like oil changes every 5,000–10,000 km and brake replacements every 30,000–70,000 km. If you neglect mileage-based maintenance, it can lead to reduced performance, costly repairs, safety risks, and a shorter lifespan for your vehicle.

 Well-maintained vehicles with lower mileage are usually sold for higher prices due to the assumption they have undergone less wear and tear over time.

just having a lower mileage doesn’t always mean a better car.

 Other factors can play a significant role, such as the driving conditions (city vs. highway miles), periods of inactivity when the car wasn’t used, or maintenance history are all equally important. It's a good idea to judge odometer readings while looking at the overall picture.

In general, it’s better to have odometer readings taken at regular intervals, as it can confirm that a car has been used on a regular basis and is potentially well maintained. Looking closely at mileage data can also reveal possible issues, such as possible odometer fraud or periods of inactivity.

Mileage drops (or mileage rollbacks) indicate an attempt at deception

Spotting a decrease in mileage between two recorded entries generally indicates that the vehicle's odometer has been tampered with.

Rolling back the odometer to reduce the mileage on a vehicle is known as odometer fraud. It is performed to make a car appear less used than it actually is, in order to increase its market value artificially.

Purchasing a car that has undergone this practice comes with higher risk as it conceals the actual wear and tear and could potentially lead to unexpected (and expensive!) repairs.

Unexplained mileage gaps often point to missing service records

Large gaps between two mileage entries indicate missing records. This can pose risks to buyers, such as undisclosed damages, lack of regular maintenance, or uncertain usage patterns.

Check out this example from a carVertical report on a BMW X Series (2018 model year):

The report shows that it has two mileage records – one from 2018, when it was first used, and the other one four years later.

The missing information in the mileage logs could indicate times when the car may not have been taken for maintenance at authorized centers, or when records were not accurately recorded. This might create difficulties in accurately assessing the car's true condition.

Stagnation in the car’s mileage often indicates limited use

Mileage stagnation happens when the car's mileage stays the same over a longer period of time. This situation could lead to worries regarding possible mechanical issues, accidents, poor maintenance, or challenges in selling the vehicle.

For example, looking at the following data for an Opel Astra (2013) shows an inactivity period from December 2013 to April 2015:

Meanwhile, the Damage section of the carVertical report reveals that the car had an accident in August 2013, valued between €1,501 and €3,000:

This “idle” zone, when looking at mileage readings following the accident, could suggest that perhaps the car may have been at the mechanic for repairs, or potentially undrivable in a garage somewhere. Matching up any mileage data with damage history is a crucial step in understanding a car’s history.

By using carVertical reports, it’s possible to confirm the average mileage of the model you're interested in, helping you get a better idea of what to expect:

If you find out that the car you're interested in has a lower mileage than the average, a good idea to consider why it hasn’t been used as much. While it may have been well-preserved, there’s also a chance it could have sat undriven for a long time, which often leads to problems such as fluids and seals becoming degraded.

Car mileage vs. age: understanding the connection

The age of a car is often strongly aligned with its mileage, and it’s probably not surprising that the older a car is, the higher its mileage is more likely to be.

Having said that, age and mileage don't always line up perfectly. Being able to understand how their connection can differ goes a long way to helping buyers make better decisions.

: It’s possible the car wasn’t used much or perhaps for shorter trips. Although reduced wear could be positive, longer periods of inactivity might lead to mechanical problems, such as battery degradation or tire flat-spotting.

: This can mean regular long-distance driving took place. It isn't always negative, especially if the car was mainly driven on motorways, which is less stressful on parts than city driving.

However, our research has shown that older cars are much more at risk of being clocked. This graph shows how clear the connection is between car age and odometer fraud:

Therefore, always be cautious when dealing with cars with unusually low mileage, as this could suggest that the mileage has been rolled back. Verifying the mileage with reliable sources is crucial to ensuring a good deal.

Not all car makes handle mileage in the same way

Car companies design and build cars with various degrees of durability, and this can often affect how well a car can handle a higher or lower mileage. For example, Toyota consistently ranks among the most reliable car brands, and cars like these might have higher mileage, gaining more kilometers before their owners sell them.

Looking at our research on average mileage by brand, some makes, in particular, are more likely to have higher mileage – mainly due to how much longer they last or how much owners place trust in the vehicle's reliability.

Therefore, sometimes it makes sense to choose a quality brand car with more miles under its belt over a less reputable one with fewer kilometers. The comprehensive information in a carVertical history report can help you better understand the condition of such a car.

High mileage calls for extra attention to possible underlying issues

Although the mileage doesn't always increase the likelihood of finding an accident, you should note that cars with higher mileage may show signs of cumulative damage or/or perhaps previous repairs.

Looking at this carVertical report, you can see a Mercedes-Benz 220 (2020 model year) with a last known mileage of 252,451 km – a notably high figure for a four-year-old car:

There are also two damage records valued between €1,501 and €5,000:

On top of these, the car's timeline shows changes in country, ownership transfers, and new attempts to sell, which can indicate issues:

This grouped example clearly shows how a higher mileage, when looked at with the vehicle’s damage history and frequent ownership changes, could mean the car has underlying issues. 

Combining multiple aspects of data is essential to get a better outlook on a car

On average, a vehicle can run up around 15,000 to 20,000 kilometers per year. In such a case, 

a 5-year-old car might typically have between 75,000 and 100,000 kilometers on the odometer.

However, you should note that different types of vehicles often accumulate mileage quite differently:

: As they are typically used for longer trips or commercial purposes, they could have a higher mileage.

: These often show lower mileages, mainly due to shorter, city commuting patterns.

Understanding these indicators can give you a better grasp of whether a car's mileage correctly matches both its age and type.

There isn’t a clear answer to this, but a car which has more than 200,000 kilometers is usually thought of as high mileage.

Our research shows that average annual mileage can even vary depending on the country, too. For example, in the USA, drivers often drive longer distances over a year than drivers in the EU.

By taking in the overall picture, such as the car's make, model, maintenance history, and driving conditions, buyers can truly understand whether the high-mileage car they’re interested in is worth the cost.

Remember, a "high mileage" car doesn't always mean it's a poor choice, but closely looking at the mileage along with the car’s overall history is crucial.

How to verify car mileage and get the best deal with carVertical

To make sure you're investing wisely, it’s important to verify the accuracy of a car's mileage with carVertical.

 section, you can find mileage records throughout the vehicle's history. The report features an interactive graph illustrating any mileage rollbacks, gaps, stagnation, or other inconsistencies.

One more method to identify odometer fraud is by looking at the 

 section (for cars used or previously registered in the US). This section of the report lists odometer brands and can help you identify if the reading displayed on the odometer does not reflect the actual mileage and, therefore, should not be relied on:

Extra details included in the carVertical report are (

: Showing details related to accidents and damage sustained

Buying and selling tips

How to detect signs of flood damage in cars

How to identify a taxi when looking for a used car

What the mileage can tell you about a car

7 common used car problems you should be aware of

7 common mistakes used car buyers make

What can you learn about a used vehicle from the ad?

What is a VIN number?

How much does an accident devalue a car?