Car care & driving
How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Car
Autopapyrus
When tsunamis struck Japan, they destroyed many homes and damaged countless vehicles. As a result, a large number of flood-damaged cars ended up on the used car market. Some drivers saw this as a positive, since the greater supply pushed prices down. Most car owners, however, had good reason to worry about the many problems a flood car can bring. To help you avoid them, below we describe the main signs of a car that has been underwater. Such cars still turn up on the used market regularly.
We won't cover mechanical damage caused by impacts, collisions, and other effects of a tsunami. Finding that kind of damage works the same way as finding hidden damage from an ordinary accident. Here we focus strictly on the effects of flooding.
Unfortunately, there is no foolproof way to tell whether a car has been submerged. Still, a few methods exist, and they can help you identify such a car even after the seller has tried to hide the signs.
When a car is flooded, the interior suffers the most. It can be cleaned and dried, but getting rid of the musty smell is very hard. Chemical products and air fresheners can mask it. So if you notice a strong odor in the cabin, treat it as a red flag. Don't believe a seller who says he always "freshens up" his cars before selling them and did so just the day before. You are better off continuing your search, but for a different car.
The second sign of a flood car is rust, water's constant companion. Inspect the body carefully, along with areas that normally never come into contact with moisture. Take the time to look under trim panels and where the upholstery meets the body, check electrical connectors protected by tight rubber caps, and examine the ashtray. You can wipe small parts under the seats with a light-colored cloth and see whether it picks up any traces. Even a minimal amount of corrosion, or paint touch-ups in odd places, is a solid reason to walk away from the purchase. This rule applies to cars of any make.
Next, check the headlights, or more precisely the reflectors. Water that got in and dried leaves visible marks, unless it was distilled water. This is a very good indicator, but remember that headlights, like anything else, can be replaced. If you see new headlights on a used car, that is a reason for doubt.
If you look under the hood and find a whitish residue on aluminum parts, there is a good chance the car has been in salt water. On the other hand, if you find perfectly clean aluminum, that may also suggest someone removed the residue on purpose.
Another thing that should raise an eyebrow is fresh fluids, plus new cabin and engine air filters. Almost all sellers do some pre-sale prep, but very rarely one that thorough.
Now you know how to avoid buying a flood-damaged car.
We won't cover mechanical damage caused by impacts, collisions, and other effects of a tsunami. Finding that kind of damage works the same way as finding hidden damage from an ordinary accident. Here we focus strictly on the effects of flooding.
Unfortunately, there is no foolproof way to tell whether a car has been submerged. Still, a few methods exist, and they can help you identify such a car even after the seller has tried to hide the signs.
Interior
When a car is flooded, the interior suffers the most. It can be cleaned and dried, but getting rid of the musty smell is very hard. Chemical products and air fresheners can mask it. So if you notice a strong odor in the cabin, treat it as a red flag. Don't believe a seller who says he always "freshens up" his cars before selling them and did so just the day before. You are better off continuing your search, but for a different car.
Rust
The second sign of a flood car is rust, water's constant companion. Inspect the body carefully, along with areas that normally never come into contact with moisture. Take the time to look under trim panels and where the upholstery meets the body, check electrical connectors protected by tight rubber caps, and examine the ashtray. You can wipe small parts under the seats with a light-colored cloth and see whether it picks up any traces. Even a minimal amount of corrosion, or paint touch-ups in odd places, is a solid reason to walk away from the purchase. This rule applies to cars of any make.
Headlights
Next, check the headlights, or more precisely the reflectors. Water that got in and dried leaves visible marks, unless it was distilled water. This is a very good indicator, but remember that headlights, like anything else, can be replaced. If you see new headlights on a used car, that is a reason for doubt.
If you look under the hood and find a whitish residue on aluminum parts, there is a good chance the car has been in salt water. On the other hand, if you find perfectly clean aluminum, that may also suggest someone removed the residue on purpose.
Another thing that should raise an eyebrow is fresh fluids, plus new cabin and engine air filters. Almost all sellers do some pre-sale prep, but very rarely one that thorough.
Now you know how to avoid buying a flood-damaged car.
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