Rufford Ford - Don't Buy any of These

[GiveMeABreak]

The best way to knacker your vehicle electrics down the line....



I wonder how much a pop they're charging for a tow?

I've seen just about all BMW cars fail going through, but a good number of Citroen and Peugeots going through, still a bit flipping daft when there's a detour around the ford. They other week they had the Police waiting for those speeding through and fined them all - illegal to splash pedestrians and some of them were really bombing it through.

[TZDunnit]

Bent con-rod anyone?

[GiveMeABreak]

It's crazy - there are some nutters with brand new Audis and BMWs and they've just driven through 3 feet of water and basically flooded the car inside - totally ruined. More money than sense no doubt. I wouldn't be surprised if the insurance / warranty companies have an eye out on these channels and are clocking the registrations....

[Armidillo]

Thanks for posting! Have seen a similar compilation before, but this seems to be more recent. Why oh why do people hit the water so hard? Water over the bonnet (let alone over the windscreen) is never desirable.

So from an outsider's perspective, it appears that driving safely in the UK requires a Landrover/Range Rover (well apart from the first one), or equivalent high clearance Land Bruiser. Anything less puts the car's occupants at serious risk of drowning.

However, didn't a Tesla make it through (2nd car)? Seems totally counterintuitive - why didn't it expire in a highly theatrical cloud of sparks (although of course it may have died just down the road)?

[GiveMeABreak]

Yes I did wonder about the Tesla and although he naught of thought he’s a smarty pants in his EV I suspect it may ultimately have done a fair bit of damage. I mean it can’t be good flooding the battery housing or the terminals if even just some water got in, yet alone the other components.

I’m sure they are built to withstand normal weather conditions but it’s not exactly 007s Lotus Esprit and probably not meant to be submerged.

[Cit fan 151]

With a wading depth of 900mm, the Discovery driver could have done better; firstly to raise vehicle to its highest position, second not create waves and also to use Wade Sensing mode (if fitted).

[GiveMeABreak]

Did you see the first part of the screen display - the message stating "Do Not Wade in Flowing Water"? probably as the wake would cause the water to exceed the maximum level permitted.

[myglaren]

New one today. They are all rather similar but more fails in this one. The Audi is great, locked handbrake and it was his second one.
The jeepy thing at 4:44 is ridiculous, second attempt too.
And although the Tesla manages OK, it seems many are being wrecked in the Florida flooding.

[GiveMeABreak]

What a total idiot. He's written one Audi off already there and now a second and people wonder why their insurance premiums go up. I hope the insurance company are watching this and decline to pay out on account of wilful damage.

[myglaren]

I don't think insurance will cover it. Willful destruction.

[Ross_K]

These have been popping up in my YouTube recommendations lately.

It's amazing how many idiots think nothing of bombing through a body of water.

I'd imagine that any claim for water damage within 50 miles of Rufford ford would send the assessors straight to YouTube for a quick check

[GiveMeABreak]

Periodically some of the YouTubers show a list of the latest collected number plates all laid out along with the bumpers and under engine protection bits that have been pulled off.

[Michel]

Dickheads. I could easily drive through that in the Xsara Pic or C3 Pic doing it as it should be done!

[Ross_K]

So, I've been watching a few of these YouTube vids and the people who get stuck almost always (a) go way too fast with a wave going over the windscreen and (b) change gear as the car meets resistance from the wall of water they created I remember being taught (in the event of it being really, really necessary to enter water) to go slow and keep the revs up

Also, before the ford there are two signs; one says 'Flood' and the other says 'Road Closed Ahead':

The 'Road Closed' sign helps the council to avoid liability I presume?

[GiveMeABreak]

... and technically if so inclined and it could be proved, the Insurance company could refuse to pay out if the road closed sign was ignored...