Water-damaged vehicles from New Orleans and other flood-affected areas may find their way into Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotians are advised to check for flood damage before they purchase their next vehicle. Vehicles from hurricane and other flood-affected areas in the United States are finding their way on to the motor vehicle market, so it is important for potential buyers to take steps to find out a vehicle's history prior to purchase.

Some flood-damaged vehicles may be branded as salvage, allowing them to be titled and registered for the road, but water damage can have long-lasting mechanical problems. Problems linked to flood damage can include the malfunction of brakes, engine control modules, airbags, headlights, windshield wipers, power accessories and stereo equipment. However, flood damage may not always be obvious and car-buyers must rely on good inspection reports and learn how to spot unusual problems.

Water-damaged vehicles are declared as "salvage" or "non-repairable" depending upon the depth of the water intrusion. Vehicles branded as "salvage" in other jurisdictions, including the U.S., must go through a mechanical fitness inspection by a licensed mechanic following the completion of repairs before it can be re-registered. Once a "salvage" branded vehicle passes the mechanical fitness, the branding is changed to "rebuilt". As the branding indicates, "non-repairable" cannot be repaired, will not be registered for the road and may only be used as a source of parts.

All vehicles titled in Nova Scotia that have been declared "salvage", "non-repairable" or "rebuilt" will display such brandings on the front portion of the Certificate of Registration as well as on the back of the Vehicle Permit.