9:33 am, February 5, 2014
USED car dealers have been warned to watch out for flood-damaged vehicles arriving at their businesses.
As the current prolonged spell of wet and windy weather continues, AA Cars, the AA’s new used car platform, says water-damaged cars may end up in the hands of unwitting dealers and buyers.
The AA’s flood rescue team has now rescued more than 3,000 cars from flood water since December 20, with many of them 4x4s. And there are fears that many owners may be tempted to pass their vehicles on rather than make an insurance claim.
David Bruce, director of AA Cars, said that insurers write off 70 per cent of cars that have been immersed in flood water, either because the engine has been damaged or submerged electrical systems threaten its safety.
He said: ‘If a car engine – regardless of whether it’s a small family hatchback or a 4×4 – draws even an eggcup-full of water through the air intake, the engine will almost certainly be wrecked and in most cases the car will be written off.
‘Our specially-trained flood rescue crews say that many 4×4 drivers have gone through deep water finding that the ‘‘off-road’’ capability does not extend to flood water.
‘Apart from the obvious risk of engine damage, only 30cm of moving water is enough to float a car and possibly sweep it off the road.’
Even cars that haven’t suffered engine damage are likely to be written off by insurers if they have been immersed in water.
Mr Bruce said: ‘While a car can be dried out with no obvious visual damage, immersion in floods can store up a range of potentially costly or dangerous problems that could emerge at a later date.
‘For instance, catalytic converter and exhaust system life can be seriously compromised and there can be a host of potentially serious electrical problems – including airbags spontaneously going off with a risk of injury.
‘Many owners may not tell their insurer that their car has been affected by flood water and attempt to dispose of it through the used car market, passing on potentially disastrous problems to an unwitting buyer.’
