Water in the mechanical systems is often a death sentence for the engine and transmission.
Documentation is your final line of defense against "Title Washing," where sellers move cars across state lines to clear a "Flood" brand from the title. what to look for when buying a flooded car
Check the trunk, glove box, and under the dashboard for a literal line of silt or mud. Water in the mechanical systems is often a
Close all windows and doors for five minutes. If it smells like heavy perfume or cleaning chemicals, the seller is masking mold. If it smells musty, the battle is already lost. or contains dried mud
Open the engine’s air intake. If the paper filter is stained, wavy, or contains dried mud, the engine likely "gulped" water while running.