Flood-damaged autos driving into used-car market, consumer group warns

Thousands of cars and trucks have been damaged by major floods this year and that makes it even more important for today's used-car buyers to scrutinize potential purchases, consumer advocacy groups warn. 

Anyone kicking the tires on a used car for sale should scan the vehicle inside and out for flood damage, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group said Thursday. If there's a car you're seriously considering, sniff around the interior for the smell of mold, look for moisture build up in the headlights and even have the vehicle inspected by a professional before making a deal, the group said. 

It's imperative that you examine the car yourself and not just trust the seller because "some people might not be honest about it," Jacob van Cleef, a consumer watchdog associate at U.S. PIRG, told CBS MoneyWatch.