4 Problems to Watch Out For When Buying Flood-Damaged Cars Knowpia

Floodwater can cause significant damage to cars, which includes failure of electrical and mechanical systems, among others. Flood-damaged cars are costly to repair, which is why they are mostly labeled as salvage and sold in auto auctions. If you are planning to buy a flood-damaged car, make sure to get it inspected by a professional for better understanding of the damage it has sustained. Continuing on the subject, in this blog post, we’re discussing four problems to watch out for when buying a flood-damaged car for sale. Read on.

1. Damaged Electrical and Electronic Systems

Floodwater can seriously damage electrical and electronic parts such as the electrical control unit, brake lights, headlights, audio system, ABS, and air conditioning system. It is always advisable to get the aforementioned parts thoroughly checked when dealing with flood damaged vehicles. During vehicle inspection, if you plan to turn on a flood damaged car’s engine, only do so once all the switches and plugs are dried out.

2. Corroded Engine

During flooding, water can reach engine parts such as cylinders and the air intake. When that happens, the piston rods will try to compress the water, which ends up damaging them and causes the engine to stall. Check if flood water has damaged the engine by inspecting the oil dipstick for water droplets.

3. Mud in Hard-to-Clean Areas

Floodwater can leave debris and mud on the areas that aren’t strikingly visible to the naked eye which includes areas such as the engine compartment, underbody, gaps under the hood, wheels, brakes, and gaps between panels in the trunk. Make sure that these areas are inspected for any deposits of mud or dirt.

4. Mold in the Interiors

If a car has been submerged in floodwater for a long time, its interiors can develop mildew and mold which can trigger respiratory conditions such as allergies and asthma to the occupants of the car. If a flood damaged car has a strong musty odor, it may be caused by the growth of mold in the seats, headliner, air conditioning system, trunk, and carpets.

Lastly

Before you plan to buy a flood-damaged car from a reputable auto auction, make sure you talk to a professional who can inspect it for serious damage and make it road ready. Take photos of the car and discuss after vehicle inspection to understand what kind of repair work is needed and if that particular model can be repaired. In some cases, where cars have sustained significant flood damage due to the failure of electrical and electronic components, they can never be fully restored. Such cars can be harvested for their OEM parts alone. If you are looking to purchase flood damaged cars, look for a reputable auto auction platform and register today to start bidding.