When a major hurricane makes landfall it causes flooding and damage to everything in its wake — including cars.

Some experts have estimated that more than a half-million vehicles were damaged in disasters over the last 10 years by hurricanes Rita, Katrina and Wilma.

This year several more major storms have hit the United States, including Hurricane Harvey in Texas, Hurricane Irma in Florida and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

The office of Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro advises consumers to take steps when buying a used vehicle to avoid buying one that has been damaged by floodwaters.

Many of those vehicles are lurking on the market.

“Unfortunately, dishonest vehicle owners or dealers make cosmetic repairs to flood-damaged vehicles and put them back on the market by selling the vehicles to auctioneers or registering them in other states without disclosing the damage,” according to a consumer protection bulletin on the attorney general’s website.

The bulletin advises that if a used-car dealer won’t let a prospective buyer take a car off the lot for an inspection, then the buyer should walk away from the sale.

The attorney general also advises car buyers to:

- Check the vehicle’s title history and ask the seller whether the vehicle has had flood damage

- Look inside the trunk and spare tire for evidence of moisture, silt or corrosion

- Check the engine for water or grit inside the engine compartment

- Look for dirt or dried mud inside the dashboard and in air vents

- Check for a damp or musty smell

- Check under the floorboard carpet for water residue or stains

- Look for mismatched carpeting or seat covers

- Look for rust on door screws, hinges or seat springs

- Check the electrical systems for brittle wire casings or rusted components

- Check with one or more free services that can report if a vehicle has suffered flood damage: The National Insurance Crime Bureau, Carfax or AutoCheck

Anyone who buys a flood-damaged vehicle is advised to report it to the attorney general’s bureau of consumer protection by calling 717-787-9707, contact their local police department and call the insurance crime bureau at 800-835-6422.