The white plastic is the body of the tap. The cartridge is housed within this so you will not see that.
If the cartridge leaks either the tap drips or I can see the potential for the body to flood and water appear from between the white plastic body and the chromed plastic cover.
As said earlier I have know frost damage the white plastic and I have also known the white plastic being being fractured because the securing nut has been over tightened and over time the plastic failed. The nut only really needs to be finger tight.
Another potential leak route is from the "O" rings fitted around the red and blue input tubes. These are easily removed by pushing through the either stainless or plastic pin securing them from coming out of the white plastic body. Rag is advised to catch that pin if done in situ.
The cartridge can be accessed from the top; often the release screw to remove the top for access is hidden under that blue red coloured button [it prises out] or in some designs the rod type handle unscrews.
To remove the whole unit I cut an open ended spanner out of a jam jar top sized disc of 3/8" plywood. A hand sized tool I could use blind by feel up the back of the vanity unit used on that van.
Best of luck.
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