Water damaged car is the one that has been stranded in water during hurricanes or floods for days if not weeks. Most cars are imported from Australia and America here. Please understand that water damaged cars are not just a quick fix away from running smoothly on the roads. Such cars being sold in the state of New York come with a ‘flood damaged’ warning to ensure buyer’s awareness. When these are imported to the UAE, we usually do not find their label; these ticking time-bombs are then bought by unsuspecting people who suffer the consequences down the road.
The water damaged cars are not in bad shape visually since they have only been sitting in rain/salt water for a few days or weeks rather than being in a car crash. The problem is that the electronic components in the car have short circuited by now and rust formation is probably taking place in most areas of the car. The rust is covered up by new paint, so the only danger is electrical problems, which can occur anytime. These bad imports can catch fire, endangering the driver, from a loose fuel line and static electricity or overheating.
You might be thinking that these fixed cars would sell at marginally lower rates comparing to regular used cars, but they (unbelievably) sell both at the same rates. Because of the identical prices, it will be hard to discern whether a car you are buying is a fixed water damaged car or a regular used one.
Signs to Look out for
There are some ways to find out though and we’ll list them below.
-Open the glove box and look for a tide mark.
-Look for any signs of water or mud behind the dashboard and under the seats.
-Check the suspension components of the car, you might find some debris there.
-Similarly check the fuse box for debris or rust.
-Sniff for a musty smell in the car and the trunk, also look for water stains, rust or debris there.
-If possible lift the seat covers and check the original fabric for signs of water damage. Also take a look under the carpets.
-Start the engine and look for water entry signs in the engine/driveline.
-Ask and check whether the car can be reregistered.
-Perform a vehicle history check at www.ppsr.gov.au (for Australian cars) and carfax.com (for US cars) using the VIN number of the vehicle.
-It is highly recommended to get the car checked out by a mechanic who can check the undercarriage for the signs of water damage.
TIP: Always drive test the car to confirm if it runs and brakes smoothly.
Conclusion
If any of these signs are there, it is advisable not to purchase the car. Instead look for a non-water damaged used car or just spend some extra cash and buy a new one. After all, safety is more important than spending a little extra cash.