Buying a flood-damaged used car is something to avoid. This is because flood-damaged cars tend to have more negative impacts than positive ones. This was stated by the Senior Manager of the Used Car Exchange at WTC Mangga Dua, Herjanto Kosasih.

According to him, flood-damaged cars will make their buyers dizzy. This is because these cars have various problems, such as stalling, electrical issues, and a dead battery.

“A car that has been submerged in floodwaters cannot return to its original state. There will always be parts that do not function normally. This will become apparent after three months of use or more… Thus, for repairs (after the car is purchased), it will often go to the workshop,” he said, as reported by Kompas.com.

Herjanto hopes that friends will not be tempted to buy flood-damaged cars, even if they are sold at an affordable price. This is because the repair costs for flood-damaged cars are very high, and the repairs will certainly take a long time. Moreover, if the purchased car is a modern technology vehicle.

“For modern cars that use computer systems, the repair costs can be significant. Not to mention if the ECU is damaged. The maintenance costs can reach tens of millions,” said Herjanto.

Characteristics of Flood-Damaged Cars

To help friends avoid buying flood-damaged cars, we will provide information about the characteristics of such cars. The characteristics of flood-damaged cars are not difficult to find. The characteristics in question are:

Having Mud or Dirt Deposits in the Interior

Floods can cause cars to be covered in mud or dirt. Therefore, it is not surprising that flood-damaged cars will definitely have mud or dirt deposits inside. These deposits are usually found in hard-to-clean areas of the car's interior.

For example, in the AC vents, cables behind the dashboard, corners of the panels, seat rails, and speaker covers. Mud or dirt deposits can also be found in the car's radiator grille.

If the car has been severely flooded, the radiator grille will not only have deposits but also debris stuck in that area.

The Engine is Damaged

Cars that have been flooded usually have damaged engines. The engine damage occurs because the oil inside has mixed with floodwater.

If friends find a car with brownish-white oil, it can be confirmed that the car is a flood-damaged vehicle.

Having an Unpleasant Odor

An unpleasant odor is another characteristic of flood-damaged cars. This smell can be found in the car's interior. The odor usually comes from wet interior parts that have been exposed to rainwater and have not been dried by the owner.

Dishonest flood-damaged car sellers often disguise this smell with an excessive perfume scent. So, if friends find a used car with an overpowering perfume scent, they should be suspicious.

Experiencing Rust and Damage in the Electronics

Flood-damaged cars usually have rusted parts, especially if the car has not been maintained by its previous owner. Rust in flood-damaged cars can be found under the car, on the seats, or on the pedals.

Flood-damaged cars also experience damage to their electronics, such as audio systems, AC, lights, wipers, and EPS (Electric Power Steering) indicator lights.

Thus, these are the negative impacts of buying flood-damaged cars, as well as the characteristics of such cars. Do friends still want to buy a flood-damaged car after reading this article?

Author: Anggie Warsito