At what water level is a car considered a flooded vehicle?
2 Answers
When a vehicle is submerged beyond the engine hood, it is referred to as a flooded vehicle. Additional information: Definition: A flooded vehicle generally refers to a car that has been soaked in water, typically meaning the wiring harness has been submerged, with water depth exceeding one-third of the wheel height, and the vehicle's bottom components being in prolonged contact with water. Such vehicles pose significant risks, as the electrical circuits are prone to short circuits, fires, and other accidents. Flooded vehicles are also known as water-damaged cars and can generally be categorized into three types based on the extent of water immersion: water-damaged, partially flooded, and fully flooded. Measures: If accidentally entering a high-water area, the engine must be turned off as soon as possible, and no further action should be taken. Blindly restarting the engine can, in severe cases, lead to engine failure.
I've handled quite a few flood-damaged vehicle cases, and generally speaking, the water level position is crucial. If the water only reaches the middle of the wheels or the lower part of the chassis—for example, soaking the tires but not exceeding the midline of the wheel hubs—it's usually not considered severe flood damage and might just be short-term waterlogging. However, if the water rises to the sill plate—the metal edge at the bottom of the door—that's when trouble starts, as it means water has entered the cabin, soaking the carpets and floor mats, which can lead to mold growth and body corrosion. Worse yet, if the water reaches seat height, the electronic systems and control units are likely to suffer short-circuit damage, making repairs costly and time-consuming. Once the water level surpasses the dashboard, the engine bay and critical components become fully submerged, essentially rendering the vehicle a total loss. Therefore, the threshold for determining flood damage starts above the sill plate, and it's advisable to get the car inspected at a professional shop immediately to prevent subsequent failures.
