Can a China 5 vehicle be driven for ten years?
2 Answers
Generally speaking, as long as you pay attention to maintenance and take good care of it during daily use, a China 5 vehicle can be driven for 10 years. As of August 2019, there are no mandatory scrapping requirements for vehicles in China, so as long as the vehicle doesn't break down, it can be driven indefinitely. Below is an introduction to vehicle lifespan and maintenance: Vehicle lifespan: The service life of an ordinary vehicle is about 5-10 years. After this period, issues such as unstable performance, higher fuel consumption, and aging components may arise, requiring owners to spend more on usage and repairs, which inevitably brings more trouble. Vehicle maintenance: Annual inspections are necessary. The vehicle inspection standards are once every 6-15 years, once every 15-20 years, and four times a year for vehicles over 21 years old. Additionally, performing deep maintenance annually helps reduce damage to the vehicle.
I think driving a China 5 vehicle for ten years is quite realistic from a policy perspective, especially in non-major cities. I understand that many places like Beijing and Shanghai have traffic restriction policies, but China 5 is not the oldest standard and can still be driven for a few more years—there is currently no nationwide ban forcing the phase-out of China 5 vehicles. However, in big cities, the government may introduce new regulations to restrict older vehicles, affecting mobility, so I recommend checking your local environmental policy updates. Overall, as long as the car is well-maintained, policy isn’t a major obstacle. I know owners in second- and third-tier cities who have driven China 5 cars for eight or nine years and are still using them, feeling they can hold up. The key is to stay updated on local announcements and plan ahead, such as having a backup vehicle option. Remember, cars aren’t shoddy projects—using one reasonably for a decade isn’t unusual.
