Following the recent floods that have plagued parts of Britain, thousands of vehicles will be written- off by insurance companies. Rather than go through the lengthy process of making an insurance claim, owners of flood-damaged cars will attempt to sell the vehicle on to unassuming motorists.
Book Your Theory Test Today helps you to identify the warning signs of potentially a flood-damaged vehicle.
According to a very recent article published by ‘The Telegraph’, car insurers will write-off 70% of flood-damaged vehicles. Book Your Theory Test Today warns that unscrupulous sellers will attempt to offload their flood-damaged vehicle to unsuspecting motorists, rather than go through the claims procedure.
Aware of the potential problems this could cause to unassuming motorists, Book Your Theory Test Today reveals several factors that indicate a car may have been affected by flood waters.
It’s not just Book Your Theory Test Today that has identified this practice of selling flood-damaged cars as a problem. In a statement from Ian Crowther, of AA insurance, he said: “We have received about 200 claims for flood-damaged cars so far. Our concern is that owners of vehicles, where water hasn’t damaged the engine, may decide to dry out the car as best they can. Then, rather than risk losing their excess and no-claims bonus, offload it through the used car market.â€
Currently the AA has calculated that they have received over 4,100 callouts for flood-related rescues since early December, 2013.
Book Your Theory Test Today asserts that when flood damaged vehicles are dried out no visible damage is obvious, with problems only identified with the vehicle once cash has been exchanged and the new owner has driven away.
Book Your Theory Test Today provides some flood-damaged vehicle indicators:
* Are any of the windows open on the used car you’re looking at? If so, why? It could be totally innocent, but the seller might be trying to ventilate a damp or drying off interior.
* Does the interior smell damp or musty when you open the door? Another giveaway are air fresheners – is that all you can smell? If so, they could be used to mask the stench.
* Get inside any prospective purchase and examine the carpets. Are they wet? Also, check the boot carpet and spare wheel well for dampness?
* Check the condition of the brake and suspension components. Considering the age and mileage of the car you’re looking at, is there more corrosion than you’d expect? Also, look for sand or silt in odd places.
* Is there any unexpected or unexplained corrosion around the engine bay? Unscrew the oil filler and look for a white, mayonnaise-like emulsion on the underside of the cap. Its presence could suggest water in the engine oil or, even worse, head gasket failure.
* If you’re happy with the other pointers, put the key in the ignition and check that all the warning lights are working. Start the engine – have all the lights gone out? Remember that random dashboard lights are an MoT failure.
* While the car is warming up, make sure all electrical items, such as the stereo, windows and mirrors, are working. If not, why not?
* After a couple of minutes running, are the car windows steaming up – especially with the heater on? If so, there is moisture in the car somewhere.
* Now check the paperwork, paying particular attention to the V5 “logbookâ€. If the car has been recorded as Category C or D (uneconomic to repair) write-off, it will be stated here.
* Still suspicious? Get a car history check; these can either be done over the phone or online, with prices starting from as little as £2.99 and can verify if a car has been written off by an insurer. Surely worth it for the peace of mind.
* To be on the safe side, get an independent vehicle inspection, costing from about £100. A cheaper option is to take along a trustworthy mechanic, if you’re lucky enough to know one.
* Don’t let your heart rule your head. If after doing all these checks, you’re still not sure, it’s the advice of Book Your Theory Test Today to walk away and look elsewhere for a car that hasn’t been immersed in water.
Advice based on information featured in ‘The Telegraph’.
Book Your Theory Test Today offers an intermediary service assisting clients with booking a UK theory test, or practical test, at test centres across the nation. The service also supplies resources to help you prepare for your theory test – Ready to take your theory test? Book your theory test online today…
Tags: Car Buying, Car Buying Tips, Car Maintenance, Car Maintenance Tips, Car Safety Advice, Car Safety News, Road Safety Advice, Road Safety News, Safe Roads, Safe Streets
