The Motor Trade Association has a warning for people looking to privately purchase second-hand cars.

Thousands of Aucklanders and people in Northern regions have had cars caught in this week's devastating floods and will be looking to replace their written-off vehicles.

MTA Sector Manager Tony Everett says that it may be hard to spot a flood-damaged car if it's been cleaned and dried out.

Tony Everett warns that flood damage can show up in the form of electrical failures and corrosion, and that it takes time for the problems to appear.

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