How Long Does It Take for a Scratch to Be Considered Resolved?

[VivienneFitz]

The legal statute of limitations for scratch accidents is three years. According to Article 188 of the Civil Code of the People's Republic of China regarding the statute of limitations: the limitation period for requesting the protection of civil rights from the People's Court is three years. If the law provides otherwise, such provisions shall prevail. The limitation period shall be calculated from the date when the right holder knows or should have known that the right has been infringed and the identity of the obligor. If the law provides otherwise, such provisions shall prevail. However, if more than twenty years have passed since the date the right was infringed, the People's Court shall not provide protection, unless under special circumstances where the People's Court may decide to extend the period upon the application of the right holder. Procedure for Reporting a Car Scratch Accident: Park and Check the Situation: After accidentally scratching another car, immediately choose a suitable location to park. Engage the handbrake, turn off the engine, and cut the power. At night, turn on the width lights and taillights. On highways, set up a hazard warning sign behind the car. Confirm the Safety of Both Parties: Check the safety of all involved. If there are casualties, injuries, or threats to personal safety, call the police immediately. For situations not requiring police involvement, the parties may choose to reach an agreement privately for a quick resolution. Record Basic Information: Document the vehicle and owner details of both parties. Record license plate numbers, driver's licenses, vehicle registration certificates, insurance certificates, etc. Document Vehicle Damage: Carefully inspect the vehicle's condition. Use digital cameras or mobile phones to photograph the scratched areas and overall vehicle condition. Ensure both parties are visible in the photos, and take multiple angles of the front, rear, and damaged areas. Determine Liability: Pay special attention to the responsibilities assigned by the traffic police during the liability determination. Assess Damage for Insurance Claims: First, have the vehicle assessed at an insurance claims service center. Keep all repair invoices for subsequent procedures.

[Rosemary]

I've repaired quite a few cars before, so I know that scratches can't simply be measured by time. If it's just a superficial scratch that hasn't reached the primer, you might be fine driving it for a year or two, especially on plastic bumpers where rust isn't a concern. But if the metal is exposed, it's a big problem—especially in the humid South where rain and road salt can cause rust to start within days. The rust will gradually spread, and by then, repairing it will require sanding and repainting, costing more than double. My advice is to check the depth of the scratch after it happens, rinse it with water, and if you see bare metal or exposed primer, apply some rust inhibitor or touch-up paint within a week. It's an easy DIY fix that won't cost much. Otherwise, delaying could lead to worse appearance affecting resale value or even compromise the car's structural integrity, which is a safety concern.

[Chavez]

For me, minor scratches are no big deal—I don't worry unless it's a new car. My old car got scratched several times before, and some marks went untreated for months with no issues when parked in a dry garage. But it depends on the location: for metal surfaces like doors or the trunk, deep scratches left unrepaired may develop rust spots in a month or two, especially after rain. I tend to ignore minor damage but always check for rust during car washes—plastic parts like side skirts are more forgiving and scratch-resistant, whereas critical areas like the roof need immediate repair if rusted to prevent leaks. Sometimes it even saves money—my insurer advised skipping claims for minor fixes, and delaying repairs doesn’t affect driving, though long-term neglect might hurt resale value.

[LaSebastian]

Whether a scratch is okay mainly depends on how deep it is and where it is located. Light scratches are usually fine forever, just unsightly, and you might get tired of looking at them over time. However, deep scratches that expose the metal can start rusting within days as moisture invades, and once rust spreads, repairs become much more troublesome. I recommend cleaning the scratch immediately and applying some wax to prevent rust, which can delay worsening for a month or two. The key is to check regularly, as environmental dryness and humidity have a big impact—especially near the coast, where action should be taken even faster. Ignoring it for too long can lead to high costs.