At how many kilometers is a sedan generally scrapped?
3 Answers
When a sedan reaches a normal driving mileage of 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide it to be scrapped. Vehicle scrapping process: 1. The car owner applying for scrapping and renewal must fill out and submit one copy of the "Motor Vehicle Change, Transfer, Modification, Suspension, and Scrapping Approval Application Form" with the owner's seal affixed. 2. Apply at the registration acceptance counter. For vehicles that have reached the scrapping age, a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" will be issued. For vehicles that have not reached the scrapping age, if they are deemed to meet the vehicle scrapping standards after inspection by the motor vehicle inspection counter, a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" will be issued. 3. The vehicle owner can choose a qualified recycling company to send the vehicle for dismantling with the "Notice". 4. The recycling company will dismantle the vehicle and take photos after verifying the "Notice". The engine must be separated from the vehicle, the engine block must be broken, and the frame (chassis) must be cut. 5. The vehicle owner must submit the "Change Form", "XX Province Vehicle Renewal Technical Appraisal Form", "Scrapped Vehicle Recycling Certificate", and photos of the dismantled vehicle to the motor vehicle inspection counter for verification and signature. The license plates and certificates will be reclaimed, and the scrapping registration will be processed after approval according to regulations.
I've been driving for over a decade, and our family's old sedan has clocked nearly 300,000 kilometers without reaching the scrapping point yet. Actually, there's no fixed mileage threshold for scrapping a sedan—it depends on various factors, especially how you maintain it. Generally speaking, regular cars may be considered for scrapping after 150,000 to 200,000 kilometers, but this is just a rough estimate. For instance, if you consistently follow scheduled maintenance using high-quality engine oil and parts, the car can easily surpass 250,000 kilometers. My neighbor's sedan has already covered 280,000 km and still runs like new. However, with aggressive driving habits, neglected part replacements, and daily rough-road usage, it might become unusable after just over 100,000 km. Currently, China's regulations allow private cars to run up to 600,000 kilometers, but this isn't a mandatory scrapping rule—the key is ensuring the vehicle remains road-safe; don't wait until the brakes fail to regret it.
You'll understand after driving for a few more years - scrapping a car isn't just about the odometer reading, what really matters is internal wear and tear. Core components like the engine and suspension typically show severe aging after about 150,000 kilometers, especially if low-quality engine oil was used. I remember an old friend's sedan had to be scrapped at 180,000 kilometers because the transmission completely failed - repairs would've cost more than buying new. Routine maintenance is crucial; regular checks on tires and belts can extend lifespan. Policy-wise, China's guided scrappage standard is 600,000 kilometers, but there's no mandatory requirement - it mainly depends on emission and safety standards (like being advised to retire if exhaust exceeds limits). Ultimately, cars aren't scrapped at fixed mileages, but rather based on whether their condition remains roadworthy.
