One year after the DANA in Valencia, CARFAX analyzes its impact and highlights the importance of transparency in the used car market
Transparency note: This press release was originally published in Spanish. The text has been machine translated. You can find the original press release here.
According to the Valencian Community's Economic and Social Recovery Plan, more than 140,000 vehicles were directly affected, of which 85% were declared a total loss.
On October 29, 2024 alone, more than 140,000 cars were deregistered nationwide, of which almost 80,000 were in Valencia alone (55% of the total).
According to CARFAX data, 94% of the vehicles affected by the DANA did not return to the road, although some 3,400 cars did return.
Madrid, October 29, 2025 – The impact of the DANA that affected the Valencian Community a year ago continues to be a reminder of how extreme weather events, which are becoming increasingly frequent due to climate change, can have serious consequences for people, infrastructure, and property.
One of the material effects was the impact on vehicles. According to the Valencian Community's Economic and Social Recovery Plan, more than 140,000 vehicles were directly affected, of which 85% were declared a total loss.
According to data obtained by CARFAX, a leading provider of vehicle histories, 94% of the affected and decommissioned vehicles have not been put back into circulation, although some 3,400 cars are documented as having returned to the roads. These vehicles are concentrated in the province of Valencia, where 60% are located, but the remaining 40% are distributed across different regions of Spain, such as Madrid (7%), Alicante (5%), and Barcelona (4%).
To further examine the situation of the vehicle fleet after the storm, the company analyzed the data available for the period between October 29 and December 31, 2024, comparing it with the same period in 2023 and specifically highlighting the data for October 29, the day when the effects of the DANA were most intense.
Between the end of October and the end of December, a total of 559,700 vehicles were reported as temporarily or permanently deregistered in Spain, representing a slight reduction of 4.5% compared to 585,039 in 2023. However, when the same analysis was carried out in the province of Valencia, there was an increase of more than 82% (92,472 vehicles in 2024 compared to 16,302 in 2023). Likewise, if the analysis is extended to include Castellón, the total rises to 98,819 vehicles in 2024 compared to 20,512 in 2023.
The company's analysis of the vehicle market has detected that on October 29, 2024, there was an extraordinary peak in temporary and permanent deregistrations in the province of Valencia. Specifically, on that day alone, 78,655 cars were deregistered, a considerable jump compared to the same dates the previous year. Without going any further, on October 31, 2023, a total of 339 vehicles were reported.
If Castellón is included, the total number of deregistered vehicles compiled by CARFAX rises to 81,053, meaning that more than half of the vehicles deregistered throughout Spain (55-57%) on that day were concentrated solely in the Valencian Community.
The hidden risks of cars affected by flooding
CARFAX reminds you that purchasing a vehicle that has been flooded can pose serious mechanical, electrical, and financial risks, even if it appears to be in good condition after repairs. Among the most common risks are:
Engine and transmission damage: if water has entered the engine, hydro-locking may have occurred, affecting pistons, connecting rods, and other internal parts.
Compromised electrical system: water can corrode connectors and electronic modules, causing intermittent or permanent failures.
Problems with electronics: systems such as ABS, airbags, or traction control may function erratically.
Long-term corrosion: trapped moisture can cause rust on the chassis, brakes, and suspension, reducing safety.
Bad odors and mold: the interior can develop fungi and bacteria if it was not properly cleaned and dried.
In addition to these damages, there are financial risks:
Very low resale value: Cars with a history of flooding lose much of their value and are difficult to resell.
Insurance issues: Some insurers impose restrictions or exclude coverage for vehicles with this type of history.
Expensive repairs: Even if the purchase price is low, repair costs can exceed the actual value of the car.
It is important to know a vehicle's history before purchasing it. A vehicle history report provides transparency and helps you make a decision based on objective data.
For example, the data indicates that a deregistration recorded on October 29, 2024, for a vehicle in the province of Valencia may be a clear indication that the car was affected by the DANA, so this issue must be taken into account when assessing the vehicle.