At What Age Are Cars Scrapped?
2 Answers
Cars are categorized into private vehicles and commercial vehicles, with specific scrapping ages as follows: Private Vehicle Scrapping Regulations: For 5-seat family cars and 7-seat SUVs, non-commercial small and micro vehicles have no usage lifespan limit. When the normal mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide the scrapping process. In addition to the above-mentioned vehicles, small and micro non-commercial passenger cars, large non-commercial sedans, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no usage lifespan restrictions. Common Commercial Vehicle Scrapping Regulations: Small and micro taxi passenger vehicles have a scrapping age of 8 years, medium-sized taxi passenger vehicles 10 years, and large taxi passenger vehicles 12 years. Public transport passenger vehicles have a scrapping age of 13 years, while other small and micro commercial passenger vehicles have a scrapping age of 10 years, and large and medium commercial passenger vehicles 15 years. Micro commercial trucks have a scrapping age of 8 years, while light and large commercial trucks have a scrapping age of 10 years. The vehicle scrapping process is as follows: 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," stamped with the owner's seal. 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 yet reached the scrapping age, the motor vehicle inspection counter will determine if they meet the scrapping standards and issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice." The owner can choose a qualified recycling company to dismantle the vehicle by presenting the "Notice." 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 "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 heard many people asking about the vehicle retirement age, and this really depends on national policies. In China, private passenger cars like the one I drive generally don't have a strict age limit—as long as the vehicle condition is good, you can keep driving it. However, it must pass annual inspections. After 6 years, the car needs an annual check, and after 15 years, it becomes a semi-annual inspection, which is quite troublesome. If the maintenance is poor or emissions exceed standards, the authorities might directly require you to retire the vehicle. For commercial vehicles like taxis, it's different—they have a mandatory retirement age of either 8 or 10 years, depending on the vehicle type. Other countries have similar policies. For example, in the U.S., mileage matters more than age. My advice is not to focus solely on how old the car is but to pay attention to maintenance records and safety performance. Regular oil changes and brake pad replacements can extend its lifespan. If the car gets too old, replacing it with a new one might be more cost-effective and eco-friendly. With proper driving and maintenance, an old car can last for decades.
