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A 2021 Hyundai Creta, covered in mud, with a non-functioning engine and rejected for months at an auction, became the center of a risky bet recorded by the Percepcar channel.
The SUV, which in good condition could be worth close to R$ 90,000 in the market, was purchased for only R$ 17,500. The question was simple and dangerous: did the car hide a serious problem or did it just need cleaning, diagnosis, and some new parts?
The story begins with a scenario that would deter many buyers. The vehicle was abandoned, covered in mud, looking neglected and unable to start. According to the Percepcar channel’s account, the auction listing made many people think there was something seriously wrong with the Creta. No one wanted to take the risk. But when the price dropped, the purchase was made.
The bet was to find out if that rejected SUV could run again and, more than that, if it could be transformed back into a valued car. For this, the first step was not to replace parts or try to start the engine at any cost. Before any diagnosis, the Creta needed to undergo a complete cleaning.
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The Creta purchased for R$ 17,500 seemed to hide a big problem
The Hyundai Creta is one of the best-selling SUVs in Brazil, and a 2021 unit in good condition usually has a value much higher than the auction price. In the case shown by the Percepcar channel, the car was bought for R$ 17,500 precisely because it carried a history of abandonment and uncertainty.
The mud was so thick that it was almost impossible to tell the vehicle was white. The dirt covered much of the bodywork, the engine bay, and the lower structure. The appearance reinforced the impression that the car had gone through a difficult situation before reaching the auction.
With the wash, however, came the first positive surprise. The paint appeared to be in good condition. There were no apparent dents or significant signs of collisions on the bodywork. What emerged were scratches and signs of use, issues that could be addressed with polishing. The main concern, however, remained the same: the engine did not work.
Cleaning revealed good paint, intact structure, and promising engine
After the external cleaning, attention turned to the engine. The Creta’s engine bay was very dirty and had been idle for quite some time. Therefore, cleaning was necessary before any more precise mechanical evaluation.
The visual result impressed. Under the dirt, the engine seemed preserved. From there, the mechanic Benjamin stepped in to make the diagnosis. As expected in an abandoned car, the fluids were low. The first step was to replace the fluids and install a new battery.
At the decisive moment, the engine turned over. This was important because it showed there was movement and that the assembly was not completely seized. But the Creta wouldn’t start. It turned over, persisted, but wouldn’t complete the operation.
The investigation then moved to the ignition system. Benjamin found the problem in the coils and spark plugs. The parts were compromised, probably affected by the time sitting idle, moisture, and mud. Without adequate spark, there was no combustion. And without combustion, the engine just turned over without starting.
Coils and spark plugs were the obstacle between abandonment and revival
The recommended solution was to replace the coils and spark plugs. According to the values presented by the Percepcar channel, the ignition coils for the 1.6 engine cost R$ 900. The new spark plugs totaled R$ 300. Benjamin’s labor cost R$ 400. The total mechanical repair was R$ 1,600.
For a car purchased for R$ 17.5 thousand, the investment was considered acceptable given the possibility of recovering an SUV with a much higher market value. Still, the doubt remained. If the defect was limited to the ignition system, the project could be very successful. If there was another internal problem in the engine, the loss could quickly escalate.
With the car on the lift, a new cleaning was done on the underside. The evaluation showed that the structure was intact. For a 2021 vehicle, even after being abandoned, the underside was as expected. The wheel wells and structure showed no concerning signs in the channel’s report.
However, a negative point appeared in the wheels. The Creta had steel wheels, which were not the originals. To enhance the car, it was necessary to purchase a new set of wheels, with a reported cost of R$ 2 thousand.
The engine start confirmed that the risk was worth it
With the parts in hand, Benjamin returned to install the new coils and spark plugs. The old parts were quite deteriorated, showing signs of wear caused by moisture and abandonment. The replacement was done cylinder by cylinder.
Then came the most anticipated moment of the recovery. On the first attempt, the engine turned over, threatened to run, but didn’t catch. On the second attempt, the Creta started. The fault was exactly where the diagnosis pointed: compromised coils and spark plugs. There was, according to the project’s report, nothing serious in the engine.
The mechanical transformation completely changed the meaning of the purchase. The car that seemed like a major auction problem started working again with R$ 1,600 in parts and labor. The engine, once stalled and covered in dirt, began to work normally.
After that, the focus was on aesthetics. The white paint, which had faded over time and was covered in mud, was polished. The shine returned, and the Creta began to look like a dealership SUV again. The new wheels also reinforced the appearance of a valued car.
Preserved interior completed the SUV’s transformation
The interior was one of the least affected parts by the abandonment. According to the Percepcar channel, the internal structure was impeccable, consistent with a car with only a few years of use. The cleaning restored the modern and comfortable look of the SUV.
Dashboard, multimedia center, seats, and finish regained a good appearance. The contrast between the initial state and the final result was significant. The Creta that arrived covered in mud, idle, and discredited began to display shiny paint, new wheels, a clean interior, and a functioning engine.
In the final balance presented by the Percepcar channel, the car cost R$ 17,500 at the auction. Then, it received an additional R$ 5,600 in parts, mechanics, and aesthetics. The total investment was R$ 23,100.
The estimate presented in the video is that a 2021 Hyundai Creta in working condition and in this state could be worth between R$ 78,000 and R$ 85,000. Thus, the estimated profit would be close to R$ 60,000 if the vehicle were sold within this range.
The story shows the seductive and risky side of automotive auctions. For those who only see the mud, the idle engine, and the abandonment, the car seems like a foreseen loss.
For those who can correctly diagnose, calculate the costs, and take the risk, an opportunity may arise. In the case of this Creta, the bet that seemed crazy ended up turning into a surprising recovery.
Source: Percepcar channel.
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