Is It Advisable to Buy a Used Car with Water Damage Records?

[LaMaria]

It is not recommended to purchase a used car with water damage records. Here is relevant information: Precautions: The title certificate must be legal, and the embossed number, engine number, and registration date on the title certificate are key points that require special attention; the vehicle should have no traffic violation records. Before transferring ownership of a personal used car, check whether the vehicle has any traffic violation records and whether it is within the validity period of compulsory traffic insurance. Only when the vehicle is within the validity period of compulsory traffic insurance and has no traffic violation records can the transfer procedures be processed. Required documents: vehicle registration certificate, vehicle license (must be within the annual inspection validity period), vehicle purchase tax certificate, original vehicle purchase invoice (or the last transfer invoice), owner’s ID (for organizations, a corporate code certificate is required), road maintenance fee payment certificate, and vehicle and vessel tax certificate.

[MaryLee]

When I was young and working at a repair shop, I saw many water-damaged cars with issues. The circuits were prone to short circuits and corrosion, electronic components would fail quickly, water trapped under the carpets led to mold and persistent bad odors, and prolonged rusting of the chassis severely compromised safety. Personally, I wouldn’t touch such a car unless the price was extremely low. But I’d recommend bringing a car-savvy friend to check for abnormal smoke during a hot engine start, using a multimeter to test the wiring for corrosion, and confirming no signs of damage before considering it. Repair costs often outweigh the savings, especially since insurance companies might deny coverage.

[DelGavin]

As a breadwinner with a family to support, I always prioritize safety. Water-damaged cars pose too great a risk – flooding can harm the engine or even the brake system. Imagine breaking down on the highway and endangering my whole family. When buying a car, I always check the vehicle history report. If there's any record of water damage, I walk away immediately. Don't be tempted by a cheap price – the repair costs will be high and it's just not worth the hassle. Spending a bit more for a clean car gives me peace of mind. Health and safety are more important than anything else.

[VivienneAnn]

When browsing for used cars, I noticed that flood-damaged vehicles are sold at lower prices. If the water didn't submerge too deeply, they might still be usable. However, I would first open the hood to check for rust spots on the wiring harness, start the engine to listen for abnormal sounds, and take a short test drive to see if the air conditioning and audio system work stably. If there are issues, I'd walk away. Only when on a tight budget would I consider taking the risk with such vehicles.

[SanCharlotte]

My experience in buying and selling cars tells me that flood-damaged vehicles have many hidden dangers but are common in the market. I recommend buyers not to act impulsively, carefully check the authenticity of the report, start the engine to test both hot and cold states, inspect the chassis for rust, and only consider it worth the gamble if the price is reduced by more than 30%. Otherwise, the endless troubles of car repairs will follow.