Can You Buy a Flood-Damaged Car at a 4S Store?
2 Answers
You will not buy a flood-damaged car at a 4S store. Flood-damaged cars in 4S stores will be removed. Currently, there are no laws prohibiting "flood-damaged cars" from entering the market. However, if a car dealer conceals the condition of a "flood-damaged car" during sales, it violates the relevant provisions of the "Consumer Rights Protection Law" and constitutes consumer fraud. Consumers encountering such situations can call the 12315 consumer complaint hotline to file a complaint with the local industrial and commercial department. Methods to check for flood-damaged cars: Open the hood and check the radiator, air conditioning heat sink, and the front panel of the radiator from below for any residual sludge. Inspect small parts around the engine, charging motor, starter motor, wire sockets, and the seams near the wheel wells for sludge. Flip over the front and rear seats to check the springs and inner fabric covers for residual sludge and moldy odors. Examine the hidden seams near the spare tire compartment in the trunk and the rear wheel wells for sludge. Check the construction inside the dashboard, wires, and socket connectors for residual sludge. If there is a noticeable sludge line under the plastic trim covers on the middle pillars between the front and rear doors, it indicates the car was submerged to that height, as the numerous seams inside the pillars make cleaning difficult. Pry open the rubber seals around the front and rear windshields from inside the car with a screwdriver—if there is sludge inside, it is a fully submerged car. If the water level exceeded the hood, it is considered a fully submerged car.
As an average car buyer, I frequently visit 4S dealerships to look at vehicles. Generally speaking, reputable 4S stores are unlikely to sell flood-damaged cars because they have strict inspection procedures and manufacturer warranties that ensure clean vehicle origins. However, nothing is absolute. For instance, after extreme weather events or due to occasional lapses in dealership management, flood-damaged cars might slip through disguised as good vehicles. Flood-damaged cars pose significant hazards, such as water ingress causing electrical system short circuits, which can lead to brake failure or even spontaneous combustion. Therefore, whenever I go car shopping, I remain extra vigilant—I always request to see the vehicle history report or bring a mechanic to inspect the chassis and interior. Safety comes first; never rely entirely on the salesperson's claims at the 4S store. Choosing well-established, reputable 4S dealerships is the most reliable approach, but risks always exist, so caution is advised.
