How to detect signs of flood damage in cars

Used cars offer many benefits, but they also come with various risks. One such risk is flood damage, which can cause serious issues. Unfortunately, some sellers try to take advantage by cleaning and reselling flood-damaged cars without fully disclosing their history.

Thankfully, there are a few tricks and tips that can help you spot and assess flood-damaged cars when dealing with dishonest sellers. Let’s get into it.

Tips and tricks: spotting a flood-damaged car

Knowing how to spot a flood-damaged car is crucial, whether you’re just browsing or about to buy. Many used car sellers try to hide these essential details, but there are some telltale signs that a car has been underwater. Here are some key checks to help you spot a flood-damaged vehicle:

• Test electronics. Faulty electrical systems are often the first sign of water damage. Make sure to test the entertainment system, power windows and mirrors, door locks, and lights to make sure they all work.
• Open the fuse box. Nearly all electrical systems are connected to the fuse box, typically found under the dashboard, in the boot, or in the engine compartment. The fuse box should be dry, and the fuse connections should be clean and free of corrosion.
• Inspect the bodywork. Car bodies are prone to rust from excessive moisture, especially if the car has been exposed to salt water. Carefully inspect the bodywork, paying extra attention to the undercarriage, door trims, badges, and plastic components. Even small bubbles in the paint can signal the presence of rust hidden beneath the paint.
• Check the interior. Ensure the interior is completely dry, especially footwells, seats, and other fabric areas. Soft materials tend to remain wet for a long time, so feel them, particularly in the lower areas of the car. Your hand should come away dry after touching these areas.
• Smell the interior. Get inside the car, shut all doors, and take a moment to smell the interior. Damp seats and carpeting often leave behind an unpleasant, mouldy odour that’s difficult to mask, even with air fresheners.
• Look for dirt in tight spaces. As floodwater recedes, crannies and crevices in a vehicle often trap dirt and debris that’s hard to reach, especially inside the car. Check for dirt between interior plastic parts and under the seats. Dirty (but not dusty) areas may be a sign that the vehicle has been flooded.
• Take it for a professional inspection. It’s always a good idea to have an independent mechanic inspect the car. Not only can they spot potential mechanical issues, but they may also detect additional signs of flood damage.

Some severely flood-damaged cars can be sold for up to 50% less. Used car salesmen buy them for next to nothing, resell them for a relatively low price, and still make a hefty profit. Always remember that a suspiciously low price usually has a reason behind it.

Get a carVertical report to learn about flood and other damage

You can uncover flood damage and other key historical details with our vehicle history reports. These reports can reveal if a vehicle could have been located in a flooded area, complete with a map. Moreover, our reports highlight records from other natural disasters, such as volcanoes or tropical cyclones. Pay attention to the impact score, which indicates how severe the disaster was based on data from the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS).

There are also other ways to detect flood damage using our history reports. For example, check for fogged-up headlights, a suspiciously clean engine compartment, or water level signs inside the car if photos are included in the report. All you need is a vehicle’s VIN or registration number.

Water can cause serious damage to cars

Water is a great conductor and a key component for rust, which spells trouble when it gets into the wrong parts of a car. When submerged, water can seep into every crevice, causing short circuits in electrical systems and corrosion. Although electrical connectors and control units are typically sealed, they aren’t waterproof, allowing water to penetrate the most sensitive areas of the vehicle.

Drying out a flooded car takes days, and even then, there may be irreversible damage, such as oxidised wires, mouldy seats, or a sagging headliner. Water trapped in tight spaces can remain inaccessible for months, leading to electrical problems, recurring mould, and unpleasant odours.

Ideally, a flooded car should be completely dismantled, with all electrical wires disconnected and the interior taken apart, only to be put back together once everything fully dries out. Unfortunately, many used car sellers often don’t invest that much time and effort, choosing to sell damaged cars instead.

Is it worth buying a flooded car?

In most cases, no. While you might take a risk on a flooded antique or rare car for restoration purposes, choosing a flooded car as your daily driver is likely a bad idea. Although the lower price may seem tempting, you could end up spending more than expected to ensure the car is safe and reliable. Additionally, flood damage is classified into categories based on the level of damage:

• Cat A – Too dangerous to return to the roads, and its parts cannot be reused. Cars in this category cannot be repaired.
• Cat B – Too dangerous to return to the roads, but parts can be reused.
• Cat S (formerly Cat C) – Structural damage, which is rare in flooded cars. These vehicles can be legally driven if repaired and re-registered with the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency).
• Cat N (formerly Cat D) – Non-structural damage. Usually, repairs cost more than the car’s value, but the car can be repaired and legally driven again.

Remember, even if water only reaches the car’s floor, the air inside the car can become saturated with moisture, leading to mouldy fabrics and corroded metals. However, if you come across a flooded car and still want to buy it, negotiate the price as much as possible to ensure you’re getting a decent deal.