What are the characteristics and problems of flood-damaged cars?
2 Answers
The characteristics and problems of flood-damaged cars are as follows: Pungent odor inside the car: If the car has been submerged in water, it will emit a musty smell that is difficult to dissipate. Therefore, check for any lingering odor inside the car. However, after the vehicle has been cleaned and detailed, this smell is usually harder to detect. Alternatively, you can pull the seatbelt all the way out to check for any residual mud or sand. Rust on interior brackets: There are many exposed metal brackets under the dashboard. Since these brackets are not easily exposed to moisture, manufacturers generally do not apply anti-rust treatment to them. When water enters the car and evaporates, it can cause these brackets to rust.
The characteristics of a flood-damaged car are quite obvious. I noticed there's always a strong musty smell inside the car, like a damp towel left for too long, because prolonged water immersion leads to bacterial growth. When you lift the carpet, you often find mud stains or dirt, and you can even feel sand grains in the seams of the seats. The electronic devices also act strangely—for example, the power windows move sluggishly, and the dashboard lights flicker randomly. The problems are serious: if water gets into the engine, it can rust and seize up, causing the car to shake when starting and possibly stall mid-drive. The chassis components corrode quickly, and once the braking and suspension systems deform, the braking distance increases, making it dangerous at high speeds. I recommend that when buying a used car, you must lift the carpet to inspect it and smell for odors. Those who have repaired such cars know the costs are too high, and issues keep popping up. Driving it long-term is also bad for your health, especially if the AC ducts carry mold, which harms the respiratory system. In short, trying to save money can lead to big losses—get it thoroughly inspected by a professional shop as soon as possible.
