A £10,000 BMW was instantly ruined by floodwater when it was being driven to a Swindon garage for a part costing just £20.

The owner was due to have the part fitted for his beloved 5 series, but stalled metres from his destination.

Water had got into the engine while negotiating the floods at Cheney Manor Industrial Estate and it never started again.

Mohammad, who preferred not to give his surname, had to have his car scrapped.

He said: “My car just turned off. We tried again in a couple of days but it never started. And now it is written off.”

“I would never ever have entered into that water if I had known, because I lost a lot of money. I was quite upset.

“There was a plan to buy another car but that was expedited. And I loved that car. It had emotional value.

“I had it for seven years. Me and my family travelled in it a lot all across the UK and it never gave me any issues.”

Mohammad had recently refurbished the car, spending £1,600 on new tyres and air-conditioning.

Swindon Advertiser: Another car in the waters

He said: “I spent quite a lot of money on that car and then this happened.”

He could only claim £8,000 back from his insurance, meaning he lost £3,600 to the waters.

Mohammad expressed frustration that there was not more warning about the depth of the water, which he said looked shallower due to the dip in the road’s centre.

He said: “There is always water there. It is an accident waiting to happen.

“Even if you are a very experienced driver, you use the kerb for guidance on the depth of the water but the kerb is very deceptive because of the curve of the road.”

The flooding has been an issue since December, and has ruined at least 15 cars, according to owners of businesses past the water.

The owners of the garages and industrial businesses previously complained at the lack of support offered by Thames Water and Swindon Borough Council.

The water was cleared by Thames Water last  week, but Ford Breakers, which has been affected by the flooding, expressed concern it was just a temporary fix.

One business owner, Ted Puffett, 59, complained that nobody from Thames Water or the council had been to visit the businesses beyond the flooding.

He said: “It may not be Dick Lovett up here, but it's all little businesses, you know, we're trying to earn a pound. It's affected everybody on this estate.”