Experian Offers Consumers Free Online Service to Identify Storm-Damaged
Vehicles
AutoCheck Storm Scan Offers Consumers Access to Clearinghouse of Hurricane Damage Information, including Dealer-Reported Data
Schaumburg, Ill. -- October 25, 2005 -- Experian Automotive, a division of
global business solutions company Experian®, today began offering free
storm damage vehicle information to consumers through a new AutoCheck Storm Scan feature at
www.autocheck.com/storm .
AutoCheck Storm Scan provides consumers with information regarding
storm-damaged vehicles in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Using
this Web site, consumers can enter a vehicle identification number to
determine if a vehicle was reported titled or registered within the last 12
months in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama or Texas, reported as storm
damaged by a dealer or manufacturer, or branded as salvage or flood damaged
in a state affected by the hurricanes.
"Our data tells us that storm-related damage to vehicles isn’t limited to
just flooding. We have found that states brand up to ten times as many cars
"salvage" as they do "water damage" after a hurricane," said Scott Waldron,
president of Experian Automotive. "Potential used car buyers need to
safeguard themselves from purchasing storm-damaged vehicles from
unscrupulous sellers and should be sure that their check includes salvage
vehicles."
In addition to this precaution, Experian Automotive recommends a thorough
vehicle inspection. The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and
Experian Automotive offer consumers ten inspection tips to help detect
significant water damage:
· Check the vehicle's title history, it may state whether it has sustained flood damage;
· Examine the interior and the engine compartment for evidence of water and grit from suspected submersion;
· Check for recently shampooed carpet;
· Check under the floorboard carpet for water residue or stain marks from evaporated water not related to air-conditioning pan leaks;
· Look for rust on the inside of the car and under interior carpeting and visually inspect all interior upholstery and door panels for any evidence of fading;
· Check under the dashboard for dried mud and residue, and note any evidence of mold or a musty odor in the upholstery, carpet or trunk;
· Check for rust on screws in the console or other areas where the water would normally not reach unless submerged;
· Check for mud or grit in alternator crevices, behind wiring harnesses and around the small recesses of starter motors, power steering pumps and relays;
· Complete a detailed inspection of the electrical wiring system, looking for rusted components, water residue or suspicious corrosion;
· Inspect the undercarriage of other components for evidence of rust and flaking metal that would not normally be associated with late model vehicles.
While it’s too early to know exact numbers, some experts estimate more than
500,000 cars were significantly damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Consumers can access the AutoCheck Storm Scan feature by visiting
www.autocheck.com/storm .
About Experian Automotive
Experian Automotive delivers information solutions to manufacturers,
dealers, finance and insurance companies, and consumers. Experian helps
automotive clients increase customer loyalty, target and win new business,
and make better lending and vehicle purchase decisions. Its National
Vehicle Database, housing more than 450 million vehicles, along with
Experian’s credit, consumer and business information assets, meets the
industry’s growing demand for an integrated information source. Experian’s
advanced decision support services help clients turn this information into
improved business results. Experian technology supports several top
automotive web sites including eBay Motors, CarsDirect.com and
NADAguides.com. For more information on Experian Automotive and its suite
of solutions, visit our web site at
www.experianautomotive.com .
About Experian
Experian is the global leader in providing value-added information
solutions to organizations and consumers. It has an unrivaled understanding
of individuals, markets and economies around the world.
Experian provides information, analytics, decision-making solutions and
processing services. It assists organizations in understanding their
markets and customers and helps them find, develop and manage profitable
customer relationships to make their businesses more profitable. Experian
promotes greater financial health among consumers by enabling them to
understand, manage and protect their personal information and helping them
control financial aspects of key life events.
Experian works with more than 50,000 clients across diverse industries,
including financial services, telecommunications, health care, insurance,
retail and catalog, automotive, manufacturing, leisure, utilities,
e-commerce, property and government. A subsidiary of GUS plc with
headquarters in Nottingham, UK, and Costa Mesa, Calif., Experian’s 12,000
people in 28 countries support clients in more than 60 countries. Annual
sales exceed $2.5 billion.
For more information, visit the company's Web site at
www.experian.com .
The word "Experian" is a registered trademark in the EU and other countries
and is owned by Experian Ltd. and/or its associated companies.
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