One of the aftereffects of the severe hurricane weather is the number of flood-damaged vehicles that may enter the marketplace. The experts at NADAguides.com, a leading vehicle information website, offer the following tips to help used car shoppers avoid buying a flood- damaged car.

1. Check the vehicle's history. First thing's first -- be sure to check the car's title history at NADAguides.com to determine if the vehicle may have sustained significant water damage in the past. Unless a car was considered damaged beyond the cost of repair, however, the title will not indicate flood damage. Nevertheless, it's still a good idea to start your homework by obtaining a car's history report to be sure the vehicle wasn't considered a total loss due to excessive water damage. Vehicle history reports are available at the NADAguides.com Used Car Center. Consumers can click on the Vehicle History Report tab in the Resources section for more information.

2. Use your nose. Your nose is a great tool in determining whether a car has sustained significant water damage in the past. Virtually every flood-damaged vehicle will have an unusual musty smell, such as those odors brought on by mold or mildew. No matter how dry a car might be on the inside today, use your nose as a guide to alert you to any water damage it may have sustained in the past.

3. Check for residue. Look for water and grit inside the car and inside the engine compartment as signs of a potential submersion. Check under the dashboard for dried mud or residue and be sure to lift the trunk mats and check for signs of water, grit, mud or residue of any kind. Be concerned if you notice excessive dirt, mud or water stains in or around areas of the vehicle that aren't exposed to the elements. And don't forget to look for unusual or excessive moisture in the car's gauges.

4. Check the carpet. Check for recently shampooed carpet and be sure to inquire about newly installed carpets or headliners in relatively new vehicles -- for the most part, carpets and headliners should last for many years without needing repair or replacement.

5. Look for rust. Look for rust on the inside of the car and under interior carpeting. Also, check for rust on screws inside the console or other areas of the car where water simply wouldn't reach had the car not been submerged and don't forget to check for surface rust under the trunk mats.