Can a Flooded Car Still Be Used?
2 Answers
Generally, after a car is flooded, it needs to be repaired at an auto repair shop or claimed for compensation. Whether a flooded car should be scrapped mainly depends on the extent of the flooding. If the flooding is severe and the car cannot be repaired, it can only be scrapped. If the owner has relevant insurance, they can contact the insurance company for compensation. Methods to check a flooded car: 1. Open the hood: Check if there is mud left on the radiator, air conditioning heat sink, and the front panel of the radiator (viewed from below). 2. Front and rear seats: Check the springs and the inner sleeve's burlap for residual mud and moldy smell. 3. Check the trunk seats: Look for residual mud in the hidden seams and dead corners on both sides of the rear wheel wells. 4. Middle of front and rear doors: If there is an obvious mud line, it indicates the height of the water the car was submerged in (due to too many hard-to-clean seams and dead corners inside the car pillars). 5. Front and rear windshield rubber: Use a screwdriver to pry it open (from inside the car). If there is mud inside, it is a fully submerged car. If the water level exceeds the hood, it is considered a fully submerged car.
Last time my friend asked me if a flood-damaged car could still be used, I said it depends on the water level. If it only submerged the chassis, cleaning it thoroughly and replacing the engine oil and transmission fluid would generally make it drivable. However, if the water reached the seat level, serious trouble arises. The submerged wiring inside the car will gradually corrode, and electronic components like the dashboard and airbags could fail at any moment. Not to mention that water entering the engine could render it completely useless, with repair costs potentially exceeding the price of a new car. Even if repaired, driving such a car would feel like carrying a ticking time bomb—issues like moldy AC smells or brake noises are minor compared to the risk of sudden engine failure on the highway. I recommend scrapping any flood-damaged car where water rose above the wheel level—it’s both safer and more peace of mind.
