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