DECATUR - As if the turbulent hurricane season didn't do enough damage, used car buyers have the potential of becoming Katrina's latest victims.

Flood-damaged cars increasingly are hitting the market, said Larry Gamache, communications director at Carfax. Carfax.com offers vehicle background checks for used car buyers and dealers. It's now offering a free flood damage check on its Web site.

"In states where the cost of living is higher than average ¦ people will move cars from the Gulf Coast to places like Illinois, New York, California, Washington, D.C.," he said. "We're used to paying more for vehicles."

As little as 12 inches of water can cause significant damage to a vehicle, he said. Braking instruments and computer components that run the safety systems are at risk when the car is submerged at that level.

But in Katrina, many vehicles were flooded at least halfway up to the roof, and some were completely underwater, Gamache said. In addition to damaging more of the vehicle, dirty water that has infiltrated a ventilation system can create a place for mold and bacteria to live and circulate throughout the car indefinitely.

"Increasingly, professionals in this area ¦ we all agree that most if not all the vehicles from Hurricane Katrina should probably be crushed," he said.

But cars inevitably will make it up to areas not hit by the storm, and consumers should be wary, he said.

Joe Barr, with Paceley's Garage in Decatur, hasn't seen an influx of hurricane-damaged cars in the area yet, but he agreed that it's important to be on the lookout for the possibility when buying a used car.

In today's market, a Louisiana tag in the car's history is a red flag, but there also are some physical checks that can be done, said the garage's owner, John Paceley. The first is to look at the trunk area where the spare tire is located.

"This will be the first place that's going to rust," he said.

Water will often stand in that compartment; check the carpeting below the spare tire for lingering sogginess. Vehicles damaged this hurricane season most likely will not yet show rust.

Other things to look for are water markings in the car's interior, signs of water under the air filter and pitting on aluminum rims, Paceley said.

For a thorough check, the vehicle needs to be lifted so its undercarriage can be inspected. That's why it might be good to have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before a sale is finalized. Paceley's, 3109 N. 22nd St., does a 35-point inspection for about $35.

Those concerned about flood damage should specify that to the mechanic doing the check, Paceley said. Regular prepurchase inspections usually won't look for evidence of water damage.

Another way to protect yourself is to make sure you're buying from a reputable dealer, Gamache said.

"Be really leery when buying cars through classified ads," he said. "Be especially leery when you meet in a parking lot and he only gives you a cell phone number."

Dealers such as Robinson Motors, 2950 N. Jasper St., pride themselves on being selective with the cars they will sell, said salesman Paul Barnes. Every car the dealer handles has a Carfax report done on it, and Robinson also pays for a three-month 3,000-mile warranty on the vehicles it sells.

"We also encourage customers to take it to a reputable mechanic and have it checked," he said.

Barnes said he doubts flood-damaged vehicles would make it to the Robinson lot; most of the vehicles sold there are trade-ins bought from local dealerships.

Perhaps the most important advice is the advice your mom gave you, the most universal of savvy bargain hunting truths: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

"We all have that sixth sense when it comes to these things," Gamache said. "If anything is making you feel uncomfortable, walk away. There is no need to buy a car if you have any concerns about it."

Amy Hoak can be reached at ahoak@;herald-review.com or 421-7972.