What To Do If Your Car Is Flood Damaged

Recent catastrophic flooding across New South Wales and Queensland provides grim evidence of the personal, regional and economic impact of natural disasters in Australia.

Over the years, we've all watched footage of cars floating away on raging flood waters, admiring the courage of rescuers winching down from helicopters to save the occupants of stranded vehicles and seen the faces of people dealing with extensive property damage and sometimes grievous personal loss.

From a purely automotive perspective, however, we're also keenly aware of what water, mud and debris can do to vehicle engines, components, electrical systems, bodywork and interiors.

What's the damage?

While today's vehicles can withstand many adverse and unusual circumstances, water that reaches the bottom of the doors is your cue to put aside any thoughts of driving.

Your vehicle's interior is full of places and possibilities for water to cause trouble, including the total failure of the transmission and electrical systems.

Also, saltwater adds a corrosive element to the damage that flooding can cause to components and systems.

If the engine bay has experienced excessive water exposure, don't assume that drying your car out after the rain is enough to make your vehicle functional again.

And if it's not bad enough, water, mud, and debris getting into the vehicle can also cause chaos underneath, as it clogs and compromises parts and systems.

Steering and braking are the necessities for driving after a flood. That's why ensure it’s functioning properly before getting behind the wheel and hitting the road.

What should I do first?

With the water subsided and the sun out, it's time to check the damage.

Whatever you do, don't start the car because muddy/salty water and electrical systems are not best mates.

Instead, disconnect the battery, open all doors and carefully survey what might be a horrific scene.

Finding the high-water mark should be relatively easy in your vehicle's interior and should further inform the notion that starting the ignition is a bad idea.

For example, water that has entered the air filter may then draw water into the engine, potentially leading to an expensive repair bill.

Once all the necessary checks are complete and the vehicle is roadworthy – as far as your mechanic suggests – one of your initial tasks should be to drain and replace fuels, oils, and washer fluids.

Can a flood damaged car be repaired?

Every situation must be taken on its own merits as you weigh up the cost of repairs, if indeed they are even possible, against the cost of buying a new car.

In many cases, the result of flood damage to insurance is a write-off, meaning your car has (a) sustained too much damage to repair or (b) is too economically prohibitive to repair.

As for buying a flood-damaged vehicle, this is a case of "buyer beware." A cheap sale price may have expensive consequences.

While flooding is a consequence of extreme weather, wet weather driving is an important skill.

AutuGuru shares some handy tips for the next time you're driving in the rain. But most of all, the best advice when the waters rise and the roads turn to torrents is to stay safe.

Has your car experienced damage from flood waters? Use AutoGuru to book with a mechanic for an inspection. It's quick and hassle-free, exactly what you need in a stressful situation!