Where Do Flood-Damaged Cars Ultimately End Up?

[LaPreston]

Flood-damaged cars may end up in the used car market, be scrapped, or disassembled for parts, with relatively better components potentially making their way to auto repair shops. Below are methods for identifying flood-damaged and accident vehicles: 1. Inspect the Car Locks: Look for signs of forced entry, damage, or adhesive injection. Then, use the key to open each door to check if the locks are from the same set and if each door lock turns easily. Note that if turning is very difficult, or the key almost breaks before the door opens, it could be due to flood damage causing the central locking motor to rust and malfunction. 2. Engine Compartment: Check if the mounting brackets for the compartment's lighting and signal lights are broken or loose. Inspect the wiring connectors and sockets; if they contain a lot of mud or show rust spots, the car might be flood-damaged. 3. Engine Room Inspection: Examine the wiring and vacuum lines on the engine block, and check for mud traces in the gaps between the high-voltage ignition coils and spark plugs. Assess whether the aging and cracking of hoses and wiring match the car's age, and check the fuel injector's mounting and spring for rust, which can help determine the likelihood of flood damage.