RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 2012--
In the wake of recent flooding caused by Hurricane Sandy, CarMax, Inc.,
(NYSE: KMX), the nation’s largest retailer of used
cars, is advising consumers on how to avoid purchasing flood-damaged
vehicles. CarMax offers a helpful video to aid consumers in spotting the
signs of flood damage. To see the video, visit the CarMax
YouTube page.
“Consumers should be aware that some businesses and individuals may try
to sell salvaged and flood-damaged cars without revealing the vehicle
history,” said
Corri Cottingham
, purchasing manager for CarMax
in Hartford, Conn. “Flood-damaged cars are not structurally or
mechanically sound, but 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 900 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 member of the FORTUNE 500 and the S&P 500, and one of the
FORTUNE 2012 “100 Best Companies to Work For,” is the
nation’s largest retailer of used cars. Headquartered in Richmond, Va.,
CarMax currently operates 115 used car superstores in 57 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 29,
2012, the company retailed 408,080 used cars and sold 316,649 wholesale
vehicles at our in-store auctions. For more information, access the
CarMax website at www.carmax.com.
Please Note: Our buying team can
provide visually compelling demonstrations on possible flood damage
indicators.
Source: CarMax
Media Contacts
Britt Farrar,
Manager, Public Relations, (804) 747-0422, ext. 3473
Elia Imler,
CarMax Public Relations, (804) 747-0422, ext. 4029
Twitter: @CarMax,
Facebook: facebook.com/CarMax