Can I still retrieve my car after it has been impounded by traffic police for three years?
3 Answers
Can I still retrieve my car after it has been impounded by traffic police for three years? The specific explanation is as follows: The traffic management department of the public security authority shall issue a receipt on the spot when impounding motor vehicles or non-motor vehicles and inform the parties involved to report to the traffic management department of the public security authority for handling within the specified time limit. The traffic management department of the public security authority shall properly keep the impounded vehicles and shall not use them. Relevant information is introduced as follows: The basis for traffic police to impound vehicles in the event of an accident is Article 72 of the Road Traffic Safety Law. For the purpose of collecting evidence, traffic police may impound the vehicles involved in the accident but shall properly keep them for verification. If it is necessary to conduct inspection and appraisal of the vehicles, the traffic police will entrust a qualified appraisal institution to conduct technical appraisal within three days after the on-site investigation is completed. The time limit for completing this appraisal shall not exceed 20 days. If it exceeds 20 days, approval from the higher-level traffic management department of the public security authority is required, and the maximum time limit shall not exceed 60 days.
I just had a car impounded for three years. That time, it was because of a drunk driving accident that landed me in the traffic police station. After being stored for so long, the car is definitely in bad shape—the battery is 100% dead, the fuel lines might be clogged and moldy, the tires are flat as hell, and the repair costs could be higher than buying a new car. Legally, impounded vehicles shouldn’t be held for more than 30 days; after that, they’re usually auctioned off or scrapped. Hurry up and contact the traffic police station to check the records—it might already be gone. And if you haven’t paid the fines, don’t even think about it. This is a harsh lesson—don’t break the law, deal with issues early, or you’ll end up with a pile of trouble and extra costs. If you do manage to get the car back, it’ll need a full safety inspection before it’s roadworthy, otherwise, it’s not safe.
In my experience, I've seen cases like this. A friend's car was impounded for over two years before being dealt with, and the traffic police said the car had already been scrapped. Leaving a car unused for three years causes significant damage—like brake pads rusting solid, wiring aging and short-circuiting—posing safety hazards and severe depreciation. In the legal process, you must first pay fines and fees before inquiring, but chances are the car has already been auctioned. Looking back, it might have been easier to buy a used car instead of wasting time chasing it down. Directly consult professional authorities for details. In life, similar situations call for prompt action. Treating the car as a treasure may lead to greater losses. Safety first—don't risk driving an old car.
