How to Examine Your Car for Flood Damage
Concerned that flood waters may have harmed your vehicle? Our Service Team has compiled a list of the three most important things to look for if your vehicle has flood damage.
Examining for water damage
The quickest way to determine whether or not your vehicle has flood damage is to smell it. It is extremely difficult to completely remove the mouldy aroma and mildewy scent from a flood-damaged car. So take a look around the vehicle, paying special attention to its overall appearance, scent, and, of course, any mildew formation. Any of these are indications that your vehicle has been exposed to significant amounts of water.
Another quick tip is to fully extend the seatbelts to check for discoloration from water stains along the actual straps. Along with your sense of smell, your sense of touch is essential for detecting moisture in your vehicle. To find moisture, run your hands along the carpet and pat it in different places. To be sure, repeat this process throughout the vehicle.
Take it for a spin.
When a car is exposed to high water for an extended period of time, the electrical system can become compromised and cause major problems. Take your car for a test drive, testing each function individually and collectively to ensure that all electrical components are operational.
If you are mechanically inclined, look under the hood of the car and gently bend the electrical wires to see if they are brittle. If they are, you have most likely discovered water damage. When you start the car, listen for different sounds and use your eyes and nose to see if there is any smoke around.
Check that all of the dashboard lights are turned on. Check that the wipers, air conditioning, and cigarette lighters all work properly. Don’t forget to listen to the radio and test each of the speakers.
Rust and oil
Take a close look at your exterior paint. If you see bubbles, be cautious because there could be rust underneath the paint. Corrosion is a common problem in flood-damaged vehicles, but it may take some time to manifest.
A quick check can be performed by inspecting the oil. Changes in color and thickness may indicate that water has contaminated the engine’s oil, which is bad.
If your self-inspection revealed any issues, you should consider having it checked out by the Motorama Tyre & Service team. They will be able to tell you exactly what is wrong and diagnose any problems before they become more chronic or costly to repair.