In the wake of a destructive hurricane season that brought flooding to
many areas of the country, CarMax, Inc., (NYSE:KMX), the nation’s
largest retailer of used
cars, is advising consumers on how to avoid purchasing flood-damaged
vehicles.
“Consumers should be aware that some
businesses and individuals may try to sell salvaged and flood-damaged
cars without revealing the vehicle history,”
said Gary Hickman, purchasing manager for CarMax in Houston, Texas. “Flood-damaged
cars that are not structurally or mechanically sound could be repaired,
re-titled, and sold to unsuspecting buyers.”
CarMax’s
car-buying team offers ten tips for identifying a vehicle with possible
flood damage:
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1)
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Check for a moldy smell inside the car and feel the carpet for
dampness
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2)
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Ask questions about an older car with a brand new interior or
carpeting
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3)
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Check for rust under the brake or gas pedals
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4)
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Look for dirt or rust under the dashboard and floor mats
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5)
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Inspect the bolts and screws under the seats for evidence of rust
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6)
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Check the undercarriage for excessive rust
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7)
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Check inside the trunk under the carpet in the spare tire well area
for rust, dirt or sand
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8)
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Look for corrosion, water marks, or a thin brown line on the
exterior of the vehicle
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9)
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Check to see if the electrical system works
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10)
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Check the VIN number with AutoCheck or Carfax to see whether a flood
claim has been filed or a salvage title has been issued on the
vehicle
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CarMax provides a free AutoCheck vehicle history report for every used
vehicle. CarMax’s team of approximately 900 car
buyers nationwide is trained to detect whether a car has frame or
flood damage. CarMax will not retail any car that has flood
or frame damage or an odometer or title discrepancy.
About CarMax
CarMax, a FORTUNE 500 company and one of the FORTUNE 2008 “100
Best Companies to Work For,” is the nation’s
largest retailer of used cars. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., CarMax
currently operates 98 used car superstores in 46 markets. The CarMax
consumer offer is structured around four core equities: low, no-haggle
prices; a broad selection; high quality vehicles; and customer-friendly
service. During the twelve months ended February 29, 2008, the company
retailed 377,244 used vehicles and sold 222,406 wholesale vehicles at
its in-store auctions. For more information, access the CarMax website
at http://www.carmax.com.
CarMax, Inc.
Trina Lee, Public Relations Manager
804-747-0422,
ext. 4197
or
Chris Wilmore, Assistant Public Relations Manager,
New
Media
804-747-0422, ext. 4773
