Which is More Harmful: Flood-Damaged Cars or Accident-Damaged Cars?
2 Answers
Flood-damaged cars are more harmful compared to accident-damaged cars. Here are methods to identify flood-damaged cars: 1. 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 eliminate and usually leaves evidence. If you detect a musty smell, be cautious. Also, be wary if the interior smells unusually fragrant, as this might be an attempt to mask the musty odor. 2. Inspect hidden areas of the vehicle: Check for rust or signs of screw removal and replacement in hidden areas. Pull out the seats 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.
When it comes to which is more dangerous between flood-damaged cars and accident-damaged cars, as a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I have a lot to say. The harm of flood-damaged cars lies in the gradual corrosion of their electrical systems after being submerged in water. You might not notice anything while driving normally, but months later, sudden problems can arise, such as brake failure or lights going out, which is extremely dangerous. Although accident-damaged cars have structural damage, as long as they are professionally repaired and reinforced, they can still be relatively safe to drive. Flood-damaged cars are also prone to mold growth, which affects health, and their repair costs are high. In comparison, the hazards of accident-damaged cars are more superficial and can be detected through inspections. That’s why I always remind everyone to check the vehicle history before buying and not to choose flood-damaged cars just to save money.
