At How Many Kilometers Should a Car Be Scrapped?

[DelElizabeth]

Cars are categorized into private vehicles and commercial vehicles, with their normal scrapping periods specified as follows: Regulations for scrapping private vehicles: For 5-seat family cars and 7-seat SUVs, as well as non-commercial small and mini vehicles, there is no usage lifespan. When the normal mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide the scrapping. Apart from the aforementioned vehicles, small and mini non-commercial passenger cars, large non-commercial cars, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no usage lifespan restrictions. Common regulations for scrapping commercial vehicles: Small and mini taxi passenger cars have a scrapping period of 8 years, medium-sized taxi passenger cars have a scrapping period of 10 years, and large taxi passenger cars have a scrapping period of 12 years. Public transport passenger cars have a scrapping period of 13 years, other small and mini commercial passenger cars have a scrapping period of 10 years, and large and medium-sized commercial passenger cars have a scrapping period of 15 years; mini commercial trucks have a scrapping period of 8 years, while light and large commercial trucks have a scrapping period of 10 years. The vehicle scrapping process is as follows: First, the car owner applying for scrapping and renewal must fill out an "Application Form for Vehicle Modification, Transfer, Alteration, Suspension, or Scrapping" and stamp it with the owner's seal. Then, wait for the registration acceptance counter to issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" for vehicles that have reached the scrapping age. For vehicles that have not reached the scrapping age, the vehicle inspection counter will determine if they meet the scrapping standards and issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" accordingly. Next, the owner can choose a qualified recycling company to dismantle the vehicle. The recycling company will verify the "Notice," dismantle the vehicle, and take photos, ensuring that the engine is separated from the vehicle, the engine block is broken, and the chassis is cut. Finally, 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 counter for verification and signature. The license plates will be reclaimed, and the case will be submitted for approval as per regulations, completing the scrapping registration. Scrapping regulations for private vehicles state that 5-seat family cars and 7-seat SUVs, as well as non-commercial small and mini vehicles, have no usage lifespan. When the normal mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide the scrapping.

[JanelleLee]

I've driven several cars myself, and my experience is that there's no absolute standard for when a car should be scrapped based on mileage. China has long abolished the mandatory mileage limit for scrapping vehicles. It used to be said that cars were phased out around 500,000 kilometers, but now more emphasis is placed on the vehicle's condition and emissions. My old car started making constant engine noises after hitting 220,000 kilometers, and the repair costs kept rising—it just didn’t make financial sense compared to buying a new one. The key is regular maintenance, like oil changes and brake checks, which can significantly extend a car's lifespan. Some taxi drivers rack up 500,000–600,000 kilometers with their cars still running strong, all thanks to meticulous care. Additionally, emission standards update too quickly—for example, after China’s National VI standard was implemented, older cars often fail emissions tests and must be scrapped. In short, it’s not just about mileage; safety, cost-effectiveness, and regulations matter most. If a car’s condition is too poor, don’t force it—just replace it when needed.

[Malachi]

Nowadays, with environmental protection being a top priority, car scrapping isn't just about mileage. I've been following emission regulations for quite some time. In China, even if a car hasn't been driven much, it will fail the annual inspection and be mandatorily scrapped if it doesn't meet emission standards like China VI or newer. Especially for gasoline vehicles, which have high tailpipe pollution, the government is pushing for electrification. Electric car batteries can last over 300,000 kilometers, but older gasoline cars often hit emission barriers at around 200,000 kilometers. In actual driving, I recommend paying more attention to your vehicle's carbon emissions and opting for green transportation or hybrid models whenever possible. This way, you can both protect the environment and extend your car's lifespan. With proper maintenance, mileage isn't the deciding factor, but times are changing – adapting to new regulations is the way to peace of mind.

[DeVictoria]

After working in a repair shop, I've seen all kinds of scrapping situations. Generally, cars tend to develop major issues after running around 300,000 kilometers, such as engine wear or transmission system failures, but this varies from person to person. There's no fixed scrapping mileage—as long as it passes inspection, a car in poor condition can be repaired to run even longer. I've seen customers still using cars with 500,000 kilometers, all thanks to diligent maintenance. I recommend everyone check the tires and battery during each service—aging of these small components can lead to premature scrapping. Safety first—don't just focus on mileage.