RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 25, 2009--
In the wake of recent flooding, 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
Jason Day
, Atlanta region vice president of purchasing
for CarMax.
“Flood-damaged cars that are not structurally or mechanically sound
could be repaired, re-titled, and sold to unsuspecting buyers.”
CarMax’s purchasing team offers these ten tips for identifying a vehicle
with possible flood damage. If any of these signs are identified, ask
further questions to determine if flood damage occurred:
1) Check for a moldy smell inside the car and feel the carpet for
dampness
2) Be suspicious of an older car with a brand new interior or carpeting
3) Check for rust under the brake or gas pedals
4) Look for dirt or rust under the dashboard and floor mats
5) Inspect the bolts and screws under the seats for evidence of rust
6) Check the undercarriage for excessive rust
7) Check inside the trunk under the carpet and in the spare tire well
area for rust, dirt or sand
8) Look for corrosion, water marks, or a thin brown line on the exterior
of the vehicle
9) Check to see if the electrical system works
10) 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
CarMax
provides a free AutoCheck vehicle history report for every used vehicle.
CarMax’s nationwide team of more than 800 car-buyers is trained to
detect whether a car has flood damage or has been in a major accident.
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
2009 “100 Best Companies to Work For,” is the nation’s largest
retailer of used cars. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., we currently
operate 100 used car superstores in 46 markets. The CarMax consumer
offer is structured around four customer benefits: low, no-haggle
prices; a broad selection; high quality vehicles; and customer-friendly
service. During the twelve months ended February 28, 2009, the company
retailed 345,465 used vehicles and sold 194,081 wholesale vehicles at
our in-store auctions. For more information, access the CarMax website
at http://www.carmax.com.
Please Note: Our buying
team can provide visually compelling demonstrations on possible flood
damage indicators.
Source: CarMax, Inc.
CarMax, Inc.
Media Contacts
Trina
Lee, Director, Public Relations
804-747-0422, ext. 4197
or
Elia
Imler, Assistant Manager, Public Relations
804-747-0422, ext. 4029
Twitter:
@CarMaxInc
or
Chris
Wilmore, Assistant Manager, Public Relations
804-747-0422, ext. 4773
Twitter:
@CarMaxInc