Image via Wikipedia

                Flood-damaged cars are being sold like hot-cake in Metro Manila due to typhoon “Ondoy” that visited the country several weeks ago and transformed  Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces into wild ocean of  floating debris and countless cars submerged in mud and water.

                Flood-damaged cars, declared as secondhand, are being sold for only P 100,000 or less which, a prize   far below their original acquired market value.

                The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Alberto Suansing, issued an advisory to the public to be wary of cheap secondhand cars, obviously referring flood –damaged cars, with foul odor.

                Flood- damaged cars, according to Sunasing, are to be dealt with extensively as they may not be road worthy enough.

                “The rule is not to start the vehicle but bring it to an accredited or reliable auto shop for proper clearing and repair” the chairman said.

                Since the interior of the flood-damaged car had been soaked to mud and water for a long period of time, mere cleaning is no longer advisable. Foul odor and moist may have contaminated its fabric components, hence, there’s a need to be replaced.

                Aside from the body cleaning, it is important that fuel tank must be drained of gasoline and the engine of oil as well. This is to ensure that water had not penetrated the engine.

                A thorough electrical system check-up, likewise, is very important. Heat blowing cannot effectively remove the moist in the wirings, hence, prone to short- circuit. To avoid short- circuit, it is advised to have the entire system overhauled.

                In Metro Manila, the estimated cost of clean-up and repair may range from P30, 000 to P50, 000 depending from car model.