As many as 250,000 vehicles were affected by Hurricane Harvey, according to estimates by the Insurance Council of Texas. Many were auctioned off, refurbished and put on used car lots. State law requires flooded vehicles that receive a salvage title—a designation given for a total loss under an insurance claim—also carry a “flood damage” notice, but there are situations where this might not be apparent. The Federal Trade Commission offers these tips for checking out a used car to make sure it is not flood-damaged: Look closely. Stains, mildew, sand and silt, especially in small spaces and cracks in the consoles and between seats, could be signs of water damage. Do a smell test. A heavy aroma of cleaners and disinfectants could be masking a mold or odor problem. Do some research. The National Insurance Crime Bureau offers a free vehicle identification number lookup that lists flood damage and other information.