What to Do With a Flood Damaged Car in Somerset

Somerset knows flooding all too well. The Somerset Levels, coastal areas around Burnham-on-Sea, and low-lying villages regularly experience flooding that can devastate vehicles. If your car has been caught in floodwater, here's everything you need to know about what to do next.

Immediate Steps After Flooding

If your vehicle has been flooded, follow these steps in order:

Do NOT try to start the engine. This is the most important advice. Starting a flooded engine can cause catastrophic and irreversible damage.
Do NOT turn on any electrics. Don't even unlock it with the remote if you can avoid it.
Document everything. Take photos and videos of the water level, the vehicle's position, and any visible damage.
Contact your insurance company. Report the flood damage as soon as possible.
Leave the vehicle where it is until you have professional advice on moving it safely.

Why Starting a Flooded Car Is Dangerous

Water doesn't compress like air. If water has entered your engine's cylinders, attempting to start it can cause:

Hydrolocking: The pistons can't compress water, causing catastrophic engine damage, bent connecting rods, cracked block, or destroyed pistons.
Electrical fires: Water in electrical systems can cause short circuits and fires when power is applied.
Further contamination: Starting the engine can circulate contaminated water through the cooling and lubrication systems.

Even if your car seems fine and you think the water wasn't that deep, don't risk it. The cost of an inspection is nothing compared to destroying your engine.

Levels of Flood Damage

The extent of damage depends on how deep the water was and how long the vehicle was submerged:

Floor-Level Flooding

Water reached the carpets but not much higher. This can cause:

Sodden carpets and underlay
Mould and mildew growth
Corrosion to floor pan and seat runners
Damage to under-seat wiring and modules

Prognosis: Sometimes salvageable with thorough drying and cleaning, but often more trouble than it's worth.

Dashboard-Level Flooding

Water reached the dashboard or higher. This typically causes:

Complete electrical system failure
ECU and module damage
Airbag system contamination
HVAC system damage
Engine intake contamination

Prognosis: Usually a total loss. The cost and complexity of repairs make this uneconomical for most vehicles.

Full Submersion

The vehicle was completely underwater. This causes:

Total electrical failure
Engine and transmission damage
Interior destroyed
Every component contaminated

Prognosis: Total loss. The vehicle should be scrapped.

The Insurance Process

Most flood-damaged vehicles are written off by insurers. Here's what to expect:

Make a claim: Contact your insurer immediately. Comprehensive policies usually cover flood damage.
Assessment: An assessor will inspect your vehicle (don't move it before this).
Category decision: Flood damage typically results in Cat B (shell scrap) or Cat N (non-structural) write-offs.
Settlement: You'll receive an offer based on your car's pre-flood market value.

Somerset's Flood-Prone Areas

Living in Somerset means being aware of flood risk. Areas particularly prone to vehicle-damaging floods include:

The Somerset Levels: Wedmore, Glastonbury, Meare, and surrounding villages
Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge: Coastal and river flood risk
Bridgwater: River Parrett flooding
Low-lying A-roads: The A372, A39, and minor roads across the Levels
Flash flood zones: Cheddar, Axbridge, and villages at the foot of the Mendips

Safely Disposing of a Flooded Vehicle

Flood-damaged vehicles require careful handling:

Don't attempt to drive it: Even if you think it might start, electrical problems can cause dangerous failures.
Professional recovery: The vehicle needs to be transported on a flatbed, not towed.
Specialist disposal: Flood-contaminated vehicles have hazardous fluids that need proper handling.

At Ben Whitcombe Ltd, we have experience collecting flood-damaged vehicles safely. We won't attempt to start your vehicle, we'll winch and load it carefully, handle all disposal properly, and ensure contaminated fluids are dealt with responsibly.

What's a Flooded Car Worth?

Despite the damage, flood-damaged vehicles still have value:

Scrap metal: The body shell, engine block, and other metal components
Some parts: Certain components above the water line may be salvageable
Catalytic converter: Usually undamaged and valuable

We assess each flooded vehicle honestly and pay a fair price based on what can be recovered.

Vehicle been flooded? Get a free quote for your flood-damaged car, we'll collect safely from anywhere in Somerset.