At how many kilometers should a car be scrapped?
3 Answers
Non-commercial vehicles and commercial vehicles have different scrapping periods, as detailed below: Scrapping regulations for non-commercial vehicles: For household 5-seat sedans and 7-seat SUVs, there is no usage period limit for small and micro non-commercial vehicles. When the normal mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide the scrapping process. Apart from the above-mentioned vehicles, small and micro non-commercial passenger vehicles, large non-commercial sedans, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no usage period limit. Common scrapping regulations for commercial vehicles: Small and micro taxi passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 8 years, medium-sized taxi passenger vehicles 10 years, and large taxi passenger vehicles 12 years. Public transport passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 13 years, other small and micro commercial passenger vehicles 10 years, and large and medium-sized commercial passenger vehicles 15 years. Micro commercial trucks have a scrapping period of 8 years, light and large commercial trucks 10 years. The vehicle scrapping process is as follows: The owner of the vehicle applying for scrapping and renewal must fill out an "Application Form for Vehicle Modification, Transfer, Alteration, Suspension, or Scrapping" and affix their seal. The registration office will accept the application and issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" for vehicles that have reached the scrapping period. For vehicles that have not reached the scrapping period, the vehicle inspection office will determine if they meet the scrapping standards and issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" if applicable. The owner can then choose a qualified recycling company to dismantle the vehicle. 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. The owner must submit the "Modification Form", "XX Province Vehicle Renewal Technical Appraisal Form", "Scrapped Vehicle Recycling Certificate", and photos of the dismantled vehicle to the vehicle inspection office for verification and signature. The license plates will be reclaimed, and the scrapping will be processed according to regulations. Special notes: According to Article 30 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", if a vehicle is damaged and cannot be driven back to its registered location, the owner can sell the vehicle to a local recycling company for scrapping. If a commercial vehicle is converted to a non-commercial vehicle, it must be scrapped according to the original commercial vehicle scrapping period. According to Article 43 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", after completing the transfer or deregistration of a motor vehicle, the original owner can apply to the vehicle management office to use the original license plate number when registering a new vehicle. The application must meet the following conditions: (1) the application must be submitted within six months of the transfer or deregistration; (2) the owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years.
As someone who has been driving for many years, whether a car should be scrapped isn't solely determined by mileage. I remember my old Honda was still running fine at 350,000 km because I maintained it regularly, changing the oil and cleaning the throttle body. In contrast, a friend's car was scrapped at just 150,000 km simply because he never serviced it and the engine failed early. High mileage doesn't necessarily mean a car is ready for the scrap heap—what matters is its condition: Is the engine noisy? Is there body rust? Do the brakes still work? Legally, requirements vary by region; some countries mandate scrapping after 15 years regardless of mileage. Economics also play a role—if repair costs exceed the car's value, it's better to replace it. So don't fixate on numbers; regular inspections are key to keeping your car running longer.
I've been driving for decades, and there's no universal standard for the mileage at which a vehicle should be scrapped. With good maintenance, a car can still be reliable even after over 300,000 kilometers. My Toyota Camry has clocked 280,000 kilometers and is still running smoothly. The key lies in daily upkeep: regular oil changes, checking tire wear and the chassis, and preventing rust. Poor maintenance can lead to a car being scrapped as early as 100,000 kilometers. The usage environment also matters—highway driving is gentler on a car than frequent stop-and-go city driving. Policy factors also play a role, such as older cars failing to meet stricter environmental standards, forcing them to be scrapped regardless of low mileage. Remember to perform regular self-inspections and timely repairs to extend your car's lifespan.
