Things to look for when/if buying a "slightly" flooded car...?

 I know the first response will be  "don't buy a flooded car",  but sometimes you don't know they were in a flood. Are there telltale signs you should look for if/when?

Thanks!

I guess it depends on how thorough they were and how observant you are. I think anything outside of fresh water floods would be really hard to disguise--especially when it comes to electrics--but water lines are probably your best bet to look for.

I was told to pop the door panel off and look for water lines inside the door. People can clean the cars up pretty well but they won't clean inside the door. 

I've had customers that tried to live with flood cars. I would only use a flood car as a body donor to fix a wreck.

Look under the carpet for sediment.  Smell everything carefully inside the car for mildew.  Pull apart electrical connections to make sure they aren't corroded.

In reply to stuart in mn :

Look for sediment everywhere it is difficult to reach/clean.

Isn't a "slightly flooded" car very similar to a "slightly pregnant" girlfriend? 

In reply to L5wolvesf :

As an insurance appraiser I total them if the water is over the console or seats. Fresh water only; salt water is instant junk no matter the level.

Lots of modern cars have ECUs and other controls mounted on the floor now. I wouldn't even trust one with light water damage. I've had cars with clogged sunroof drains that have caused thousands in electrical damage.

Look for sediment.

It's not just mildew, and electrical connections.  The sediment wrecks everything.  Anything with an electric motor will grind itself internally.  Anything with a contact switch will go flaky.  Anything with a control cable or sliding track will bind up.  Anything with a pivot will wear out.

The only "flood car" I'd consider would be something dunked in clean water like a swimming pool.  At that point it's just had a bath instead of a shower.