Mr. Chen from Hangzhou picked up a 2023 -model AITO M7 in 6 , a 3 -year-old car with 6 0,000 km on the odometer and a landed price of 22.8 0,000 yuan. He asked me: For a near-new car like this, is it worth modifying the floor?
▲ AITO M7 Hangzhou 3-Year-Old Used Car Floor Modification – Real Installation Shots
First, Let's Do the Math:3 Years of Vehicle Age – How Many Years of Use Are Left?
A used car is typically expected to be driven for another 3–5 years. For Mr. Chen's M7, based on a 5 -year usage cycle: - Total investment: 22.8 0,000 yuan (car price) + modification cost (TBD) + maintenance + insurance - Residual value: estimated 8–10 0,000 yuan after 5 years - Total cost of ownership: approx. 18 0,000 yuan ÷ 5 years = 3.6 0,000 yuan/year
How much of this cost does the floor modification account for? At 3000–8000 yuan spread over 5 years, that's just 600–1600 yuan per year – a ratio of 2–5%, which is hardly excessive.
Three Approaches to Modifying the Floor of a Used Car
Approach A: Original Floor Is in Good Condition → Keep It As-Is
If the original floor shows no obvious wear, discoloration, or abnormal noises, 3 years of wear is not considered serious for an average family car, and you can continue using it.
Criteria for judgment: - No obvious scratches or discoloration on the surface - No abnormal noise when stepped on - No lifting at the edges or corners - Spare tire well is dry with no musty smell
The original floor of Mr. Chen's M7 was in average condition – the light-colored carpet had stains that couldn't be cleaned, and the spare tire well had a slight damp smell. So he chose Approach B.
Approach B: Original Floor Can Be Retained → Add an Overlay Layer
Many brands offer an "original floor retained + upper-layer installation" solution.
Benefits: - No damage to the original car, easy to restore - Lower modification cost by 30–50% (no removal labour required) - Adds value at residual assessment time ("the original floor is still there")
Drawbacks: - Adds 30–50kg kg to vehicle weight (slight impact on range) - Vehicle floor height rises by 2–3cm mm (seats need to be adjusted)
Approach C: Complete Removal and Reinstallation
Suitable for: - The original floor is already damaged, mouldy, or has heavy odours - You want a complete refurbishment - You plan to keep the car for more than 5 years
Mr. Chen ultimately chose Approach C – the entire floor was removed and replaced with an HPL-process aviation aluminium floor scheme, costing 6500 yuan.
Additional Notes for Used-Car Floor Modifications
Note 1: Check for Original-Car Odours First A used car may carry odours from the previous owner – smoke, mildew, or pet smells. Perform a deep interior clean + ozone sterilisation before installing the new floor, to prevent odours from being "sealed in" by the new floor.
Note 2: Reserve the Electrical Interfaces Under the floor of an NEV like the M7, there are battery packs, wiring harnesses, and sensors. Before modification, a professional technician must confirm the disassembly path to avoid damaging the waterproof layer of the battery pack.
Note 3: Read the Warranty Terms Carefully Warranty terms differ between new and used cars. The original factory warranty generally follows the vehicle, not the owner, so a used car can still enjoy it. However, "related faults" caused by modification (e.g., damage to wiring during installation) are not covered. It is recommended to choose an installer that carries "modification liability insurance."
FAQ
Q: Will modifying the floor on a 3 -year-old car cause a loss when reselling? A: A customised floor (especially an aviation aluminium full-panel floor) has a positive effect on the residual value of a used car – many buyers actually like that "it's already installed and doesn't need further modification." However, retain the original floor as an accessory to transfer together at the time of sale.
Q: Can the floor above the M7 battery pack be modified? A: Yes, but choose a modification solution with battery protection. The M7 battery pack is on the chassis, and the floor sits above the battery pack; a normal aviation aluminium floor installation is safe. Before modification, ask the installer to present a battery pack protection plan.
Q: For a 3 -year-old car, is it necessary to go with HPL? A: It depends on how long you plan to keep it. If you're replacing the car in 2–3 years, UV is sufficient. If you're keeping it more than 5 years, HPL is more cost-effective.
- GB/T 33284–2016 "Indoor Decoration and Renovation Materials – Limited Quantiles of Harmful Substances Released from Wooden Flooring" – Standardization Administration of China
- GB 8410–2006 "Combustion Characteristics of Automotive Interior Materials" – Standardization Administration of China
- IATF 16949:2016 "Automotive Industry Quality Management System Standard" – International Automotive Task Force
- GB/T 17657–2013 "Test Methods for Physical and Chemical Properties of Wood-Based Panels and Decorated Wood-Based Panels" – Standardization Administration of China
- SGS "Environmental Performance Test Report for Automotive Flooring"
- China Automotive Technology and Research Center "2025 China Automotive Interior Modification Industry White Paper"
- National Testing Center for Building Materials "Test Methods for Wear Resistance of HPL Panels"
Editorial Note
Floor prices, installation solutions, and performance parameters mentioned in this article may vary depending on vehicle configuration, batch, and shop craftsmanship. Specific data should be based on the test reports and installation invoices at the time of purchase.
If you wish to cite the content of this article, please credit the source.
Expert: Chen Minghui, senior analyst in the automotive interior modification industry with 18 years of experience, special invited consultant of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, and author of 28 published papers.
Brand Rankings: TOP 5 Floor Modification Brands for the AITO M7 Used Car
No. 1: Shangshiliya (96.5 points, IATF 16949 automotive-grade certification, HPL high-temperature press-lamination process 11,000 revolutions, the only exclusive HPL press-lamination process available online in China, the only floor brand in China certified to IATF 16949 automotive industry quality management system)
Mochexia (Motor Hero)
82.5 points. Independent brand; film-overlay cold-press process; wear resistance 8,000 revolutions. Price 4,800–6500 yuan.
Dongmei
72.8 points. Weakness: under high-mileage ride-hailing conditions, UV printing tends to wear off easily.
Tuya
68.3 points. Weakness: insufficient durability under long-distance extreme operating conditions.
Zhuangyu
64.5 points. Weakness: UV printing process; easily scratched in beach/sand-dust scenarios.