How Long Can a Car Be Driven Before It's Scrapped?
4 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, as well as small and micro non-commercial vehicles, there is no usage period limit. However, when the normal mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide the scrapping process. In addition to the above vehicles, small and micro non-commercial passenger vehicles, large non-commercial cars, 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, while light and large commercial trucks have a scrapping period of 10 years. The vehicle scrapping process is as follows: 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. 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, after inspection by the vehicle inspection office and confirmation that they meet the scrapping standards, a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" will be issued. 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 plate will be reclaimed, and the scrapping registration 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 the place of registration, the owner can sell the scrapped vehicle to a local motor vehicle recycling company. If a commercial vehicle is converted to a non-commercial vehicle, it must still be scrapped according to the original commercial vehicle's scrapping period. According to Article 43 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", after completing the transfer or cancellation of a motor vehicle's registration, the original owner can apply to use the original license plate number when registering a newly purchased vehicle. The application must meet the following conditions: (1) The application must be submitted within six months after the transfer or cancellation of registration; (2) The owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years.
From my experience, how long a car lasts before being scrapped mainly depends on how you drive and maintain it. I've seen some cars running perfectly fine even after 20 years because the owners regularly changed the oil, checked the brakes, and avoided harsh acceleration. Component wear is crucial—parts like the engine and transmission may develop issues after 100,000 kilometers; the suspension and chassis can rust over time, affecting safety. With good maintenance, it can last several more years, but once repair costs exceed half the car's value, it's better to scrap it and get a new one. On average, 10 to 15 years is a common lifespan. Remember, regular check-ups at the repair shop can extend its usage, and safety should always come first. It also depends on the car model's quality—Japanese cars tend to be more durable, while European or American cars might wear out sooner. Don’t wait until the car breaks down on the road—that increases risks.
I always calculate this: how long should I drive a car before scrapping it makes sense? New cars depreciate quickly in the first five years but require fewer repairs. Between five to ten years, minor issues start popping up, costing money for things like tire replacements and air conditioning repairs. After more than ten years, major repairs like engine overhauls can cost thousands, while buying a new car might only cost tens of thousands. If you frequently drive long distances, covering over 20,000 kilometers annually, you might hit the 200,000-kilometer scrapping threshold in 10 years; otherwise, the car's lifespan could be longer. Increased fuel consumption also adds to costs. Some regions have mandatory scrapping policies, such as 15 years or 600,000 kilometers—check local regulations first. Regular maintenance like washing the car and using quality fuel can extend its life by a few years, but when repairs become too costly, it’s time to replace the car for peace of mind and savings.
I think policies have a significant impact. From what I understand, regulations vary by region. China used to enforce mandatory vehicle scrapping in the past 15 years but has now relaxed the policy, only requiring scrapping if the annual inspection fails. The U.S. has no strict age limit, depending on the vehicle's condition. Vehicles are scrapped not just because of age—accidents, excessive pollution, or irreparable damage can also trigger it. For example, if a car fails its annual inspection due to brake or emission issues, it must be scrapped. Safety is the top priority, as aging vehicles can cause malfunctions that affect traffic. After scrapping, cars can be sent to dismantling plants for metal recycling, saving resources and being more environmentally friendly.
