To what extent does a car need to be damaged to be considered totaled?
4 Answers
Vehicles that are severely damaged or in such poor technical condition that they cannot be repaired must be mandatorily scrapped in accordance with automobile scrapping standards. The specific regulations and procedures for scrapping are as follows: Specific regulations: According to Article 4 of the current "Regulations on the Mandatory Scrapping Standards for Motor Vehicles," registered motor vehicles that meet any of the following conditions shall be mandatorily scrapped. The owner must sell the vehicle to a qualified scrapped motor vehicle recycling and dismantling enterprise. The enterprise will then process the vehicle by registering, dismantling, and destroying it in accordance with regulations and will submit the scrapped motor vehicle registration certificate, license plate, and driving license to the traffic management department of the public security authority for cancellation: vehicles that have reached the service life specified in Article 5 of these regulations; vehicles that still fail to meet the national safety technical standards for in-use vehicles after repair and adjustment; vehicles that still fail to meet national standards for in-use vehicles regarding atmospheric pollutant emissions or noise after repair, adjustment, or the application of control technology; vehicles that have not obtained an inspection compliance mark for three consecutive inspection cycles after the expiration of the inspection validity period. Scrapping procedures: To scrap a motor vehicle, the owning unit or individual must provide the motor vehicle registration certificate, license plate, and driving license. If the scrapped vehicle belongs to a unit, four copies of the organization code certificate with an official seal are required. For individuals, four copies of the owner's ID card are needed.
I've been in a few car accidents and understand that the decision to total a vehicle mainly hinges on safety and economics. Severe structural deformation, such as a bent frame or damaged B-pillar, can make the car unstable after repairs, posing driving risks. Airbag deployment is a clear sign of a major accident, and repairs might conceal underlying issues. From an economic standpoint, insurance companies do the math: if repair costs exceed a certain percentage of the car's actual value, typically around 75% to 100%, they'll declare it a total loss and pay out cash. Don't overlook safety—even if a structurally damaged car can still run, it might fail annual inspections. My advice is to have a professional mechanic assess the damage after an accident. If the damage is extensive, totaling the car can be a safer and more hassle-free option, allowing you to use the payout for a new vehicle. In short, don't insist on repairing a severely damaged car—life is more important than the car.
As a long-time car owner, I believe scrapping depends on repair costs. Insurance companies usually set a standard, such as when repair expenses exceed 70% of the market value, the car is directly scrapped. Older cars are more likely to be scrapped due to expensive or unavailable parts. I experienced this once when my car's chassis cracked after a collision. The repair estimate was tens of thousands, but the car was only worth half that, so it was scrapped for cash. This decision is practical: it saves time and money, as a repaired accident car loses value anyway. Considering follow-up issues like resale or on-road risks, scrapping is the wise choice. Always consult your insurance company for advice rather than making your own decision.
When a car is totaled after a collision, the key consideration is the feasibility of repair. I've helped a friend inspect a similar situation: if the engine bay or main frame is cracked, the repair costs are high and unreliable, compromising the suspension system's safety. From an economic standpoint, it often exceeds the proportional value of the vehicle. On the safety front, structural damage cannot pass standard tests. This decision to total the car is reasonable—don't force a repair.
