AA Says Consumers are Buying Flood-Damaged Cars |
Posted: March 6, 2015 |
Cars that have been immersed in water could have potentially fatal faults, even though they may seem undamaged, according to AA Insurance. Simon Douglas, who is the current director of AA Insurance, has said that while insurers go to great efforts to make sure flood-damaged cars do not end up on the used car market, some flood-damaged cars may be finding their way on to the open market. "Catalytic converter and exhaust system life can be seriously reduced, wheel bearings could seize, brakes can be affected and alternator and starter motors could fail," said Douglas. "In addition, water can seriously affect electrical and electronic systems including the airbags, which might go off unexpectedly – or not deploy when they should." Douglas went on to mention a recent instance in which an AA patrolman’s arm was broken when he tended to a car that had been immersed in flood water. The airbag went off without any prior warning, thus causing the arm break. "Buyers should beware of buying from private vendors as they may have no comeback when problems emerge maybe after some weeks," Douglas continued, adding that owners who have vehicles that appear to have not been damaged seriously by water could sell their cars without making an insurance claim first. These events have come to light after a number of people have seeked help with a food insurance claim that has been rejected. How to identify a flood-damaged car • Pay attention to the carpets and how they feel. An open window can be used to hide the smell of dampness. • Similarly, an air-freshener is a sign of something potentially worse. Look in the spare tyre well to see if there’s any flood water there. • Misted windows are nothing to worry about, but windows that are bathed in condensation are a sign of moisture inside the car. • Look under the oil filler cap. Emulsified oil is a sign of water in the engine, and manifests itself as a mayonnaise-like white substance. • Pay attention to the airbag warning light. When you turn the ignition on, the system performs a self-check and the light should go off in a small number of seconds. If the light neither comes or does not go off, this is the result of a fault. • Try starting the engine and turning the heater blower onto the windscreen. If there is an unpleasant odour, or the steams takes a very long time to clear, this is a sign of moisture. If there is a modest amount of misting, this could be a sign of the filter drain or pollen filter being blocked. • Check for water trapped inside the car light housings by rocking the car. If there is water, you’ll be able to see water moving within the rear filter. • If the car is a category C insurance write-off, this will be mentioned in the V5C registration document. A category A or B car is not roadworthy. What to do if there’s any doubt • Get a professional inspection on the car you’re looking at. • Check for a valid receipt. You should be given a formal printed document and be offered a warranty by the trader. If you are buying the vehicle privately, keep a record of every detail pertaining to the car and its vendor. • Pay attention to the manufacturer’s warranty on modern cars. If the vehicle is known to be flood damaged, the warranty may have been voided by the manufacturer. • Consider the possibility of carrying out an AA Car Data Check to see if the car has been listed as a write-off by insurance companies. Also check that the V5C form still has a valid watermark. • If there’s any doubt: stay clear and don’t buy it. There’s plenty more cars on the market.
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