Does the government mandate the scrapping of water-damaged vehicles?
2 Answers
There is no mandatory scrapping policy for water-damaged vehicles in China. Here is relevant information about water-damaged vehicles: 1. Definition: Water-damaged vehicles refer to automobiles that have been submerged in water, typically meaning the engine and transmission have been waterlogged, with immersion depth exceeding wheels and seats, or vehicle underbody components being in prolonged contact with water. 2. Hazards: The dangers of water-damaged vehicles are significant. Submersion can easily cause rusting of vehicle components, shortening service life and compromising safety performance. For instance, water damage leads to corrosion and rusting of electrical wiring, potentially causing sudden engine shutdowns or spontaneous combustion due to short circuits while driving, with potentially catastrophic consequences.
I've studied this policy, and currently there is no unified national regulation mandating the scrapping of flood-damaged vehicles. It mainly depends on the extent of vehicle damage and post-repair safety performance. Water immersion is classified into three levels: water reaching the chassis is considered wading and requires professional inspection; moderate immersion where water reaches the seats requires thorough cleaning of wiring; the most severe is complete submersion above the dashboard - only vehicles with such serious safety hazards would be mandated for scrapping. The key factor is whether the vehicle can pass annual safety inspections after repairs. I've seen professionally restored flood-damaged vehicles running problem-free for ten years, though their resale value would be affected.
