What are the impacts of a flood-damaged car?

[Rylee]

Flood-damaged cars are prone to damage in components such as circuits, electrical systems, and precision instruments. Here is more relevant information: 1. Impact of engine flooding: When the water level during wading is higher than the engine air intake, water can directly enter the cylinders, forming a mixture of air and water. Air is compressible, but water is not. This means that when the crankshaft pushes the connecting rod to compress the piston, the water cannot be compressed, causing the connecting rod to deform and bend due to the resistance of the water. If the owner attempts to restart the vehicle after the engine stalls due to water ingress, the immense reverse force can cause the bent connecting rod to rub against the cylinder block, instantly rupturing the engine block, resulting in exorbitant repair costs. 2. Impact on interior: When the interior is submerged in water, such as when the water level rises above the doors, the vehicle's interior is likely to get wet. Rainwater is not clean and contains many impurities. The post-flood car interior becomes a highly humid greenhouse environment, which is ideal for mold growth. If the vehicle is not dried promptly, mold can quickly ruin the fabric and leather materials inside the car.

[LeGiselle]

Recently, there was a flood near my home, and I saw my neighbor's car submerged in water. Later, I heard it caused significant damage. Once a car is flooded, the engine may malfunction and require major repairs; otherwise, it becomes hard to start. The electrical system is even worse, with frequent short circuits causing warning lights to turn on, and sometimes the braking system fails, which is very dangerous. The interior parts, such as carpets and seats, can mold and emit foul odors if soaked for too long. Even with the windows open, the smell persists and breeds bacteria, which is harmful to health, causing issues like coughing and allergies. Flood-damaged cars depreciate quickly—a car originally worth over 100,000 yuan might only be worth a few thousand after being submerged. Even after repairs, hidden risks remain. I advised him to take it to a professional shop for inspection promptly and not to drive it for convenience's sake—safety comes first.

[JeffreyFitz]

I'm particularly afraid of encountering flood-damaged used cars when buying a car, having seen severe cases. The exterior looks brand new but the interior is corroded: rusted wiring causes malfunctions, and airbags may not deploy, increasing risks. The AC emits a musty odor, breeding bacteria that affect health, not to mention the high repair costs—rewiring alone costs thousands. Long-term driving with unstable systems, such as sudden stalling, is frustrating. The depreciation is brutal; buying one means instant loss. I've learned some tricks: checking for rust under the seats, sniffing for odd smells, and reviewing insurance records to avoid cheap deals that lead to hefty maintenance costs.

[AlessandraMarie]

I often deal with flood-damaged car repairs, and common issues include water entering the engine—unrepaired, it leads to scrapping with costs in the thousands. Electrical system short circuits frequently trigger alarms, making long-distance driving difficult. Interior mold grows quickly, requiring time-consuming cleanup and potentially causing allergies. More troublesome are safety components like brakes, where rust increases the risk of major accidents. It's best to tow the car for inspection immediately after flooding to minimize greater losses.