(MONEY Magazine) – The Midwest's horrific floods have receded, but used-car buyers could still get soaked. Water-damaged cars are coming to market from rebuilders. Often, says R. Van Johnson of the South Dakota Automobile Dealers Association, cosmetic repairs leave muddy engine parts or rusty gear. Salvagers "wash" the title by reselling it in one of the 35 states that do not mandate damage information on the title. So follow these safeguards: Remove a kick panel (the lower inside portion of a door) to look for a water line, have a mechanic check the engine, and consider spending $19.95 to have the National Automobile Dealers Association (800-789-6232) do a title search.