Will there be any consequences if I abandon my impounded car?
4 Answers
The impacts of abandoning an impounded car are detailed as follows: 1. How to handle an impounded car you don't want: There will be issues, and it is recommended to actively address the relevant traffic violations. Failure to handle traffic violations on time will most directly result in late fees. 2. Consequences of abandoning an impounded car: If the impounded vehicle is not dealt with, it will also lead to a ban on all driver's license services, meaning the license cannot be renewed, and after one year of expiration, the driver's license will be revoked. 3. Consequences of not handling traffic violations on time: The most direct consequence of not handling traffic violations on time is the imposition of late fees. Generally, late fees start to accrue from the 16th day after the violation. The late fee is 3% of the fine per day, with a cap not exceeding the original fine. For example, for a 200 yuan fine, the late fee will not exceed 200 yuan. If you continue to accumulate violations without handling the previous ones, once checked by traffic police, you may face the suspension of your driver's license or even the impoundment of your vehicle. Another important point is that if the vehicle is involved in an accident or suffers damage, and there are outstanding violations, the insurance company may have grounds to refuse compensation.
Having your car impounded and ignoring it is no simple matter. I’ve seen many people think abandoning the vehicle solves everything, only to end up with more trouble. Generally, a car is impounded due to violations or accidents—if you simply walk away, authorities will still follow procedures. They’ll issue notices demanding you settle fines and fees, such as towing and storage costs, which accumulate over time and may even double. Persistent neglect could land you on record, affecting license renewal or credit history. Eventually, the car will be auctioned, but if the proceeds fall short of covering debts, you’ll owe the difference. Worse, this might land you on a blacklist, complicating future car purchases or loans. My advice: don’t brush it off. Take time to check the status, pay owed fees, and formally deregister the car to avoid bigger headaches down the road.
From a cost-saving perspective, abandoning a towed car is definitely a losing deal. At first, you save yourself the hassle, but the expenses don't stop. Daily parking fees and administrative costs add up bit by bit—hundreds in just weeks, and you might face a bill of thousands after a few months. A friend of mine once ignored his impounded car, only to nearly go bankrupt when he received a collection notice six months later. If the car gets auctioned, the proceeds are often meager, rarely covering the fees—meaning you lose the car and still owe money. Worse, these debts might link to your bank account, damaging your credit score and making loans harder to get. Bottom line: Crunch the numbers, and you'll see that acting early to pay or handle the car is the smartest move. Don't let a small issue snowball into a financial sinkhole.
I've personally witnessed this scenario: someone had their car impounded and left it unattended, thinking it was a permanent solution. However, months later, they received a hefty bill including towing and storage fees, which exceeded the car's value. Filled with regret, they had to spend time visiting the DMV, but even after the car was auctioned, it couldn't cover the deficit. In the end, their record was marked with a blacklist. Simply put, abandonment is not a solution—outstanding fees cannot be avoided.
