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Removing Flood-Damaged Vehicles from Market
Lake Arbor Auto Waives Inspection Fee When Water Issues Become Evident
WESTMINSTER, Colo. (Oct. 1, 2013) – In anticipation of a glut of flood-damaged vehicles hitting
the local used-car market, Westminster, Colo.-based Lake Arbor Automotive & Truck announced
today that it will waive pre-purchase inspection fees upon discovery of water issues.
Historically, natural disasters such as floods and hurricanes result in thousands of damaged
vehicles changing hands, sometimes unscrupulously. Bankrate.com estimated before the recent
Colorado floods that there were 212,000 re-sold, flood-damaged vehicles on the nation’s roads.
There are multiple ways for a prospective car buyer without training in auto mechanics to spot a
flood-damaged vehicle. For instance, especially during the next 6-12 months, buyers should
check the car’s title to see whether it is stamped as “salvage.” The label means the car was
“totaled” by an insurance company, and now the owner or unscrupulous reseller is trying to
unload the car – sometimes while trying to hide the effects of the water to get a better price.
Other ways to spot a flood-damaged vehicle: roll up the windows and check for an odor of mold
or mildew; check for mud, rust and/or corrosion in unusual places; check all electronics; check
for foggy headlights; and of course, check for moisture in corners of the carpeting (or patchrepair of carpeting).
To get a professional opinion about the condition of a car or truck prior to purchase, people can
bring the vehicle to Lake Arbor Auto. The inspection will cost $98, and as part of that prepurchase inspection, Lake Arbor Auto will give the vehicle a thorough review, checking all vital
systems and giving the prospective buyer the confidence to make the purchase decision.
However, under terms of the Lake Arbor Auto Flood Damage Waiver Program, when mechanics
find water damage consistent with flooding, Lake Arbor Auto will terminate the inspection,
inform the prospective buyer about the damage, and waive the full $98.
“Our slogan at Lake Arbor Auto is, ‘We do the right thing for you, every time,’” said LAA Owner
Dana TePoel. “To me, under the flood conditions that this state has experienced in recent
weeks, this waiver of the inspection fee is definitely the Right Thing to Do.”
Similarly, when Chrysler-Dodge announced several years ago that it would close showrooms and
repair shops in the Denver area, Lake Arbor Auto instituted the “Wherever Warranty,” in which
LAA drives a customer’s car to the nearest appropriate auto dealership whenever a car is still
eligible for work under the original manufacturer’s warranty.
About Lake Arbor Automotive & Truck
Founded in 1992 as the Emissions Clinic, Lake Arbor Auto moved in 2006 to its current location
at 9146 Marshall Place in Westminster, Colo., with a state-of-the-art facility designed for
maximum customer comfort. Over a three-year period (2009-2012), Lake Arbor Auto won the
following significant awards recognizing its commitment to business ethics: Bill Daniels Ethics in
Business Award from the Colorado Ethics in Business Alliance, Better Business Bureau’s Torch
Award for Marketplace Trust, Golden Ethics Award, Denver Metro Chamber Small Business of
the Year (Finalist), Metro North Chamber’s Fred Factor Award and Small Businessman of the
Year Award; and the Champion of Free Enterprise award from Sales Professionals International.
A multiple recipient of the BBB’s Gold Star Award, Lake Arbor Auto was highlighted by
Examiner.com as a “Best Local Company to Work For” in 2012. Lake Arbor Auto is a Triple-A
approved repair shop and has the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence with five ASE-certified Master
Technicians on staff. Lake Arbor Auto is an ASA (Automotive Service Association) national and
state member, is the highest volume emissions repair facility in Colorado, and is a member of
the Association of Diesel Specialists. For information call 303-429-7700 or go to
www.lakearborauto.com. “We do the right thing for you every time.”