Why Are Flood-Damaged Cars Worthless?
2 Answers
Introduction to the hazards caused by water immersion: 1. Damage to the electronic control system and various electronic components inside the car: For example, water immersion can cause corrosion and rusting of the vehicle's wiring, leading to short circuits that may result in sudden engine stalling, loss of power, or brake failure while driving, with potentially catastrophic consequences. 2. Damage to the engine: When the water level exceeds the engine's air intake, water can be sucked into the engine cylinders. Since water is incompressible, attempting to restart the vehicle after the engine has stalled due to water ingress can cause the connecting rods to bend and rub against the engine cylinder walls, potentially rupturing the engine block instantly. Therefore, never attempt to restart or turn over the engine after a flood-damaged car has stalled. 3. Damage to the transmission: Transmissions are divided into manual and automatic types, both of which have ventilation holes that allow water to enter. For manual transmissions, timely cleaning and replacement of gear oil may prevent significant damage. However, automatic transmissions, due to their complex structure and high precision, can develop faults if not thoroughly treated, leading to expensive repairs and depreciation of the vehicle. 4. Prolonged immersion can cause deformation, roughness, and unpleasant odors in car carpets and seats, fostering bacterial growth and posing health risks.
Flood-damaged cars are worthless mainly because they hide many major hazards. I've encountered quite a few such vehicles - after flooding, the electrical systems become a complete mess, rainwater corrodes the wiring, and the electronics frequently short-circuit. The car might suddenly stall while driving, which is extremely dangerous. As for airbags, they may fail to deploy after water damage, which could be fatal in an accident. The engine and transmission are also prone to rust and corrosion after water ingress, and the repair costs are too high - replacing them could cost as much as buying a new car. Then there's the moldy interior with a fishpond-like smell that makes people dizzy. In short, no one dares to buy these vehicles, so their prices naturally plummet. I can only advise against touching used flood-damaged cars. Regularly checking seals to prevent water ingress is crucial.
