What is the standard for a water-damaged car to be declared a total loss?

[GriffinRose]

Water-damaged vehicles with a repair cost exceeding 50% of the car's value are recommended to be declared a total loss. Below are methods to identify a water-damaged car: 1. Smell the interior: Check for a musty odor inside the car. Water-damaged cars often have a musty smell in hidden areas like the floor mats, trunk mats, and under the seats, which is difficult to eliminate 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. 2. Inspect hidden parts of the vehicle: Check for rust or signs of replacement on screws in hidden areas. Pull the seats out to see if there is rust or sand in the tracks. Extend the seatbelt fully to check for water stains or dirt at the end.