4 Things to Check When Buying Flood-Damaged Cars at Salvage Auto Auctions

A flood is a form of natural disaster that is known to cause severe damage to life and property. Vehicles, including cars and bikes, are some of the most commonly damaged properties due to floods. When a car gets trapped in a flood, there are chances of water entering in and impacting not just its body but also its functionality. Flood-damaged cars are often written off en masse by insurance companies and they land up in salvage auctions for sale at significantly low prices. There are high chances of finding good repairable flood cars for sale. But it is advisable to check certain things when buying flood-damaged cars at salvage auctions to ensure you get a good deal. Continue reading as we discuss 4 of them. 

Hydrolock 

When a great volume of water enters the cylinders of car engines, it creates a hydrolock situation. Hydrolock is the worst-case scenario for flood-damaged cars because it affects the engine. The water present in the cylinder does not allow the piston to complete its travel causing engine failure. Hydrolock can cause damage to a non-repairable extent, making it the most essential thing to check when buying flood cars for sale. 

Electrical Issues 

Water can enter a car even through its tiniest hole, posing risk to its electrical components. When buying a flood-damaged car from a salvage auction be sure to get its electrical components checked by a professional mechanic. Do not touch any electrical parts in the car without ensuring that they are completely dried out, otherwise, you can experience an electric shock. Electrical issues in a car can cause severe damage to life and property, so you must check all the electrical issues and tackle them beforehand. 

Corrosion

Water is known to react with metals and cause corrosion or rust. A majority of car parts are made up of metal, so rusting is a common problem observed in flood-damaged cars. Rusting damages the tensile strength of the car and makes it vulnerable to breakage. So, when buying a flood-damaged car for sale from auctions, make sure to check all its metallic parts for corrosion. You will have to get all the metallic parts dried out and repainted or replaced to restore the car’s strength. 

Moving Parts

Smooth functionality of moving parts such as clutch, brakes, cylinders, and gears are essential in cars as their failure can cause severe damage. Moving parts are most susceptible to sustaining damages in floods, making their working condition an essential consideration when buying. Before buying flood cars for sale, consult a professional mechanic to verify the condition of the moving parts. 

Conclusion

It is obvious for flood-damaged cars to be in somewhat questionable condition. The thing that matters when buying such cars is the extent of the damage. Minor damages in cars like electrical issues and corrosion can easily be repaired and functionality can be restored albeit with some expenses. When damages are beyond repair, those cars cannot be used for driving at all and they can only be used for salvaging parts. This is why it is important to be clear about your intent with the purchase and then evaluate the right value for bidding. If you are searching for flood-impacted cars for sale, visit a reliable online salvage auction platform that provides complete information on its flood-damaged vehicles.