3 Surprising Things That Can Ruin A Car

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Auto Wrecking: An In-Depth Look

There are thousands, and perhaps even tens of thousands, of cars that get wrecked in collisions each year. We always think about what happens to the people who are in these crashes, and that is certainly an important topic to consider. But what does not get talked about even that often is what happens to the cars that get wrecking in such crashes. So often, they get taken to an auto wrecking yard. There, they are taken apart into their parts and pieces. Some parts are reused and others are recycled. And such is the life cycle of a car. For more details, read some of the posts on this blog.

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3 Surprising Things That Can Ruin A Car

16 March 2022
 Categories: , Blog

Sometimes it's obvious when it's time to let a car go. If you've got an old beater that would struggle to sell four figures under the best conditions, it rarely makes sense to spend several thousand dollars on a new engine or transmission. Rust is another common issue that can quickly turn a car from a dependable daily driver into a scrap-heap hulk.

However, some problems may be more subtle, and you may even wonder if it's worth trying to fix them and keep driving your old clunker. If you've got a beater that's suffering from any of these three situations, it's probably time to throw in the towel and sell your junk car to a local scrapyard.

1. Flood Damage

There's a reason that you'll often see warnings about purchasing cars with uncertain histories. Vehicles that suffered flood damage in the past can have numerous potential problems, ranging from electrical gremlins to mechanical problems to hidden rust. Flood damage doesn't immediately ruin a vehicle, but it can have substantial long-term effects.

If you drive an older car without comprehensive insurance coverage, it's probably not worth keeping it after a significant flood event. Selling the car to a regular buyer can also be challenging, assuming you're honest about its history. Unfortunately, the best thing to do with a low-value flood car is to junk it so that you can still recoup some of its value.

2. Mold or Mildew

Interior mold and mildew can form after a car floods, but it can also be an issue in other circumstances. For example, moisture may get into a car after a minor accident damages the door or trunk seals. A faulty window is another potential source of water that may go unnoticed for many months or even years.

Dealing with extensive mold damage in a car can be an incredibly costly process. Depending on the extent of the problem, it may require you to completely gut the interior to remove and dry the carpeting and floor panels. For older cars that aren't worth much, substantial interior mold is usually an unrecoverable situation.

3. Oil Burning

Is your car losing oil without leaving any evidence on your driveway? Many vehicles will begin to burn oil as they age, typically due to internal wear on the engine. Worn piston rings and seals are common issues that can cause you to lose oil and reduce your car's efficiency and performance. These problems usually only worsen over time, and there's no permanent fix other than a costly engine rebuild.

If your car is already approaching the end of its lifespan, a significant amount of oil burning can be a good indication that it's time to say goodbye. Junking your oil burner can put some money back in your pocket instead of burning it with frequent oil top-ups. 

If you're looking to sell an old car, contact your local junk car buyer.