New Jersey database tracks Sandy-damaged cars

NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- With a nearly 6,000 percent spike in flood-damaged and salvage vehicle titles processed in the past three months, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and Division of Consumer Affairs on Thursday announced a partnership to educate the public and prevent consumers from unknowingly inheriting the problems of a vehicle damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

The most notable component of the partnership is the creation of an online Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) database that consumers may access 24-7 to verify whether a vehicle was damaged due to flooding or other means.

More than 13,000 vehicles, which have been processed by the MVC as either flood- or salvage-titled since October 27, 2012, are posted in an easily searchable database on the Consumer Affairs website ) by VIN, make, model and year.

MVC and Consumer Affairs officials announced the launch of the new database and discussed how consumers can avoid being defrauded when purchasing a used vehicle, while at a storage lot here operated by Insurance Auto Auctions that contains hundreds of vehicles damaged by Hurricane Sandy,

"With so many vehicles that were damaged by the recent storm potentially being resold in the future, it's important that the public be well-informed about what to look for when shopping," MVC Chairman and Chief Administrator Raymond Martinez said. "Having easy access to this information allows buyers to protect themselves against individuals who would try to circumvent the law and not fully disclose the true condition of a vehicle."

It is not illegal to sell a vehicle with either a flood or salvage title, but specific requirements exist to ensure the status of such vehicles is disclosed to potential purchasers.

"Anyone who attempts to hide the fact that a car or truck has a flood-damaged or salvage title from potential buyers is breaking the law," Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa said. "We will go after those who attempt to enrich themselves by defrauding consumers into believing a vehicle is problem free when, in fact, is has a flood-damaged or salvage title."

If a motor vehicle has suffered sufficient damage to render it economically impractical to repair or has been rendered a total loss by an insurer, the person in possession of the title for the vehicle is required, by law, to surrender it to the MVC.

The MVC will then issue a salvage title for that vehicle.

Salvage vehicles cannot be registered for the purpose of being driven on the public highways of New Jersey except for the purpose of going to and from an inspection appointment at a Motor Vehicle Commission facility

It is against the law to sell or transfer ownership of a salvage motor vehicle except as a salvage motor vehicle with a salvage title, unless the vehicle is repaired and inspected by the Motor Vehicle Commission.

Before purchasing a used vehicle, consumers are advised to:

Check the vehicle's title history and be wary if the vehicle has been titled multiple times over a short time period

Obtain a vehicle history report from the dealer, or get one yourself from a reputable source; this will let you know if the car has been damaged in the past

Look for an insurance company's name on the title history, and contact the company for vehicle information

Consumers also should have their trained mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection of any vehicle.

Among the telltale signs that a vehicle may have sustained flood damage are:

A musty or moldy smell or the strong scent of a deodorizer all over the car

Rust on metal parts where water would not normally touch

Water-stained upholstery or water damage on the door panels or seat belts

Mildew, silt or debris in areas around the engine compartment, under the carpeting or in the trunk

Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.

---
Get Eyewitness News Delivered

Facebook | Twitter | Newsletters | Text Alerts

(Copyright ©2013 WABC-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

Get more New Jersey News »

Tags:

new jersey, superstorm sandy, new jersey news

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•