How Long Does It Generally Take for a Car to Be Scrapped?
4 Answers
The scrapping periods for non-commercial vehicles and commercial vehicles are different, as detailed below: Scrapping regulations for non-commercial vehicles: For household 5-seat cars and 7-seat SUVs, as well as small and micro non-commercial vehicles, there is no usage period limit. 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 have a scrapping period of 10 years, and large taxi passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 12 years. Public transport passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 13 years, other small and micro commercial passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 10 years, and large and medium-sized commercial passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 15 years. Micro commercial trucks have a scrapping period of 8 years, 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 the "Application Form for Vehicle Modification, Transfer, Alteration, Suspension, or Scrapping" and affix 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 choose a qualified recycling company to dismantle the vehicle with 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 "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 registration will be processed according to regulations. Special notes: According to Article 30 of the "Regulations on Vehicle Registration", if the vehicle is damaged and cannot be driven back to the registration location, the owner can submit the vehicle for scrapping to a local vehicle recycling company. Commercial vehicles converted to non-commercial use must still be scrapped according to the original commercial vehicle scrapping period. According to Article 43 of the "Regulations on Vehicle Registration", after completing the vehicle transfer or deregistration, the original owner can apply to use the original license plate number when registering a new vehicle. The following conditions must be met: (1) The application must be submitted within six months after the transfer or deregistration; (2) The owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years.
I remember when I drove my first car, it felt like it was on its last legs after just over a decade. Later, when I changed cars, I learned that there are national standards now: the mandatory scrapping age for passenger cars is 15 years or 600,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. This is based on safety and environmental considerations to prevent accidents or pollution from older vehicles. In real life, many well-maintained cars can last over 20 years—my dad’s old car served for 22 years. As long as you regularly change the oil and check the braking system, the lifespan can be extended. However, as policies have become stricter, older cars in our neighborhood have become increasingly rare, with more people switching to new energy vehicles earlier. So, the scrapping time isn’t just about usage years—it also depends on personal maintenance habits and policies.
After recently changing to a new car, I've found that modern vehicles are really durable. Typically, a car might start having constant issues after about 10 to 15 years of use or when the mileage reaches 150,000 to 200,000 kilometers. But I believe scrapping a car depends more on how you maintain it: regular washing, timely servicing, periodic tire replacements, and keeping the engine clean can extend its life by several years. Among people I know, some have driven their cars for 300,000 kilometers without problems, while others had to scrap theirs after just 10 years. The key is the economic calculation—if annual repair costs exceed tens of thousands, it might be better to get a new one. Also, it depends on the model: SUVs tend to be more durable than sedans, and electric vehicles are said to have an even longer lifespan. In short, take good care of your car, and it will stay with you longer.
As a car owner, I believe the scrapping time is variable. According to regulations, China mandates compulsory scrapping at 15 years or 600,000 kilometers. However, in reality, I've seen old cars running for 20 years as long as they don't have major issues. Scrapping often occurs when repairs become too expensive, such as engine or transmission failures, where replacement costs might exceed the price of a new car, leading to scrapping. Safety factors are also crucial; old cars with failing brakes or airbags pose significant risks. Additionally, environmental and policy influences are substantial: with the rise of electric vehicles, the government encourages phasing out old cars and offers subsidies for new purchases, prompting more vehicles to be scrapped earlier. Overall, there's no fixed timeline—it varies by individual.
