Does a sunroof leak count as a flooded car?
2 Answers
Sunroof leakage is considered a flooded car. Overview of flooded cars: A flooded car refers to a vehicle that has been submerged in water, typically meaning the engine and transmission have been soaked, with the water depth exceeding the wheels and body seats, and the bottom components of the vehicle being in prolonged contact with water. The risk factor is very high, as the electrical circuits can easily short-circuit, leading to fires and other accidents. Therefore, flooded cars require extra attention to safety checks. Repair situation of flooded cars: "Flooded cars" can be repaired to some extent, but even after repair, they still pose serious hidden dangers. The longer the soaking time, the higher the probability of faults occurring, and they cannot be completely repaired.
I often get asked by friends whether a leaking sunroof counts as a flood-damaged car. Actually, these two things are quite different. A flood-damaged car refers to a vehicle that has been submerged in floodwater or deep water, with the entire car soaked, allowing water to penetrate the engine, chassis, and deep layers of the interior, potentially causing severe damage such as electrical system failures or corrosion. A leaking sunroof is usually a minor localized issue, like a clogged drain tube or aged sealing strips, where only a small amount of rainwater enters the roof or seats, dampening the interior but can be fixed promptly. I've seen cases where owners didn't address it in time, leading to moldy interiors that affect health, but it doesn't impact the used car's value significantly. After all, flood damage is a major issue that can drastically devalue a car. Regularly checking the sunroof drain holes during maintenance and clearing them with a thin wire can prevent leaks.
