as much as i hate to admit it... 10 years ago...i drove my wife's honda accord thru a flooded roadway. the water got into the intake and destroyed the entire engine. the car didn't end up totaled or getting wet inside...they just replaced the engine. all was great...not an ounce of problems afterward.

my guess is...a new engine is nearly 10 - 12k to replace (m/b parts & labor) and with the cars current value (19k)...it may have been cheaper to just call it a total loss. once again...just a guess.

as for the "so called" light scratch on the rear bumper... the picture reflects a much different story...look at the exhaust. run don't walk.