Buying a drowned car is always a lottery. Despite the low price of such cars, the risk of facing serious problems in the future is very high. Find out more about what experts advise, how to recognise a car that has been drowned and whether it can be restored

Apply for a car insurance policy at Visit Ukraine - guaranteed protection on the road in just 5 minutes!

BUY

Buying a second-hand car may seem like a bargain, but in reality, it carries many risks. Read on to find out whether you should make such a purchase and what experts say.

Salvage car: what do experts say?

Experts do not advise buying a car that has been previously sunk, despite a possible attractive price, because water can penetrate the smallest cracks and damage many components that may not manifest themselves immediately. These can include electrical systems, engine, transmission, airbags, etc.

Salt water is also particularly damaging to metal parts of the car, causing rapid corrosion. Over time, this can lead to serious problems and additional repair costs.

Unpleasant odours can be another big disadvantage, because even after thorough cleaning, the smell of dampness or mould can remain in the cabin, which is very difficult to remove.

But first of all, you should think about your own safety and the safety of other road users, because a car that has been in the water may have unpredictable behaviour on the road, which can be a serious threat.

How can you tell if a car has been sunk or not?

There are several signs that can be used to determine if a car has been drowned:

● Traces of water. Check the carpets, seats, and trunk for traces of water, mud, or sediment.
● Rust. Look for rust in unusual places, such as bolts, welds, and inside doors.
● Odour. The presence of an unpleasant smell of dampness, mould or chemicals used for cleaning.
● Electrical problems. Check the operation of all electrical appliances, lighting, alarms.
● Fog inside the headlights. When the headlights are switched on, fog or condensation may be visible inside them.
● Documents. Carefully study the history of the car, pay attention to gaps in the service book, repeated changes of ownership.

Is it possible to restore a drowned car?

Technically, it is possible to restore a drowned car, but it is a rather complicated and expensive process. Even after a thorough repair, such a car always remains a risk. Many components can fail suddenly, which can lead to emergencies. Therefore, experts do not recommend buying such cars.

Visit Ukraine on social media: Telegram | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok

A reminder for Ukrainian drivers!

For every vehicle in the country, an insurance policy is mandatory.

Motor Third Party Liability Insurance (MTPL) is a compulsory vehicle insurance in Ukraine that guarantees compensation for damages in the event of an accident. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can buy a CTP insurance policy from a licensed insurer for reliable protection on Ukrainian roads. Packages with a deductible of UAH 3200, UAH 1600 and UAH 0 are available.

Just a reminder. Every driver who takes care of his or her car should know how to properly prepare the car for autumn. For more information on the steps that every motorist should take before the rainy season, follow the link.

Photo: Freepik

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.