What is the PICC's scrapping standard for flood-damaged vehicles?
2 Answers
There is no separate scrapping standard for flood-damaged vehicles. Here are some methods to identify flood-damaged vehicles: Smell the interior: Check for a musty odor inside the car. Flood-damaged vehicles often have a musty smell in hidden areas such as the floor mats, trunk mats, and under the seats, which is difficult to remove and usually leaves evidence. If you detect a musty smell, be cautious. Also, be wary if the car smells overly fragrant, as this might be an attempt to mask the musty odor. Inspect hidden parts of the vehicle: Look for rust or signs of replacement on hidden screws; pull out the seats to check for rust or sand in the tracks; pull the seatbelt all the way out to see if there are water stains or dirt at the end.
I've been repairing cars for nearly thirty years and have seen many cases of flood-damaged vehicles. The write-off standard for PICC is generally when the water level rises above the dashboard or the car has been submerged for more than twenty-four hours—it's basically a total loss. If water reaches the dashboard, the engine and electronic systems are completely ruined, and the repair costs are exorbitantly high, often exceeding the price of a new car. Additionally, if the repair costs exceed half of the vehicle's residual value, insurance companies tend to opt for a write-off. A common misconception is that owners think lightly flooded cars are still usable, but water intrusion into the wiring poses major risks, potentially causing short circuits or even fires. My advice is not to start the car after flooding and to report it to the insurance company immediately to avoid further damage. For regular maintenance, always park on higher ground—don't wait until it rains to regret it.
