At What Water Level is a Car Considered Flood-Damaged?
3 Answers
The following are relevant materials about flood-damaged vehicles: 1. The criteria for defining flood-damaged vehicles are: If the water level exceeds half of the wheel height and enters the interior, it is called a water-immersed vehicle; if the water reaches the engine hood, it is called a flooded vehicle; if the water exceeds the roof, it is called a submerged vehicle. 2. Water just reaching the vehicle chassis: The floor may get damp, but the likelihood of significant water ingress is low, and the impact on electrical equipment inside the car is minimal. 3. Water exceeding half of the wheel height: Due to the vehicle's incomplete sealing, water will start entering the interior. For lower sedans, the water level inside may affect the seat adjustment motors and electrical components like heating and ventilation. 4. Water almost completely covering the tires: At this point, the water level inside will fully submerge the seat cushions and center console area, while also affecting numerous electrical components.
There are actually industry standards for judging flood-damaged vehicles, mainly based on the water submersion level. If water only reaches the car's floor mats, it's considered minor flooding. After proper cleaning, such vehicles can generally be used without major issues. If the water level rises to the seat cushions, electrical wiring and seat motors may get damp, requiring comprehensive inspection. The worst scenario is when water submerges the dashboard, affecting components like the brake fluid reservoir and ABS module. Even after repairs, such vehicles are prone to malfunctions. Having handled numerous flood-damaged cars myself, I've found that corroded wiring harness connectors beneath the carpet are the most troublesome, as rust damage appears gradually. If you notice clear watermarks on the door sill panels, it's almost certain the vehicle has suffered significant water damage.
With over a decade of car repair experience, our workshop classifies flood-damaged vehicles into four levels: those with only wet undercarriages are called wading cars; water reaching the seat rails counts as second-level flood damage, requiring the removal and drying of all floor mats; water up to the lower edge of the steering wheel is third-level, usually rendering the vehicle's computer system useless; the most severe is water above the dashboard, which may even lead to engine water ingress. The key indicator is the brake fluid reservoir's water level mark—if submerged, all vehicle fluids must be replaced. Last week, a Tiguan flooded up to the gear shift position was found to have its shifting mechanism completely filled with silt upon disassembly.
