PHOENIX, AZ – Officials are warning prospective buyers of used cars to pay close attention to the condition of any vehicle that piques their interest and avoid flood damage. Every Arizonan knows that monsoon storms can result in flash flooding — hello, “stupid motorist law” — and a submerged vehicle can suffer extensive damage that might not always be noticeable. The title of such vehicles should be branded as “salvage” or “flood damage,” but scammers can and do fraudulently remove flood history from vehicle titles. The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division wants potential buyers to closely inspect a vehicle before purchase and if it doesn’t pass a literal smell test, walk away.