Dealing with water damaged cars in the UK floods

Recent unusual wet weather has seen parts of the UK flooding, with so many vehicles on the UK roads many are getting damaged and then appearing in the used car market. Many motorists are now buying used cars because the car markets are experiencing trouble, with the European economy and Australia's car market collapsing. So what does flooding mean for cars in the UK and why should you be careful when buying a used car?

What damage can the floods do to your car?

A significant problem with a flood damaged car is the electrical system, even once the car has dried out the starter motor, brakes and catalytic converter can be damaged too. These are all designed to help with the running of your car and keeping occupants safe in the vehicle. Once engine components have been flooded they need to be completely replaced to ensure they remain fully functional.

Water and sewage that comes during heavy flooding can completely ruin a car's interior too. This damage can be very expensive to clean, though the interior can be cleaned by yourself, a mechanic must be called for the car's mechanical components before it can be deemed safe to use again.

Why are there so many flood damaged cars in the market?

Many vehicle owners would rather sell their vehicle if it was damaged by the floods than make an insurance claim. Insurers write off 70% of cars which have been submerged due to engine damage or electric safety issues. Now breakdown company, AA Cars, is concerned that after the recent UK weather, many owners will choose to sell the damaged cars rather than risk a loss through insurers. Over 3,000 cars have been rescued from floods by the AA since late December.

How to spot a flood damaged car

It can be hard to identify if a vehicle has been flood damaged once it is dry and back on sale but you should be careful when buying a used car after floods. When considering a purchase, check for rust on screws and fixings in areas of the car which are usually sheltered from the elements and check the windows don't steam up at a moment's notice as it's a sign of left over flood water in the car.

The interior can be cleaned but there will likely still be a smell of stagnant water in the car if it's been flooded, interior panels can be warped or misshapen too. If there is fine sand or silt in areas not readily accessible, it may have come in with the flood water so check along the dash and in small crevices.

As with all used cars, be careful and check it over fully before you buy, pay a mechanic to check it over if you want to be sure it'll be fine or buy from a reputable dealer.

To minimise chances of having your car becoming flood damaged by the recent UK weather, you should park your vehicle on high ground away from the water and never drive through deep water even if it looks shallow as it can be deeper than you think.