How Long Does It Generally Take for a Vehicle to Be Scrapped?

[LeilaMarie]

Non-commercial vehicles and commercial vehicles have different scrapping periods, 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 cars, large non-commercial cars, and wheeled special-purpose machinery vehicles also have no usage period limit. Common scrapping regulations for commercial vehicles: Small and micro 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 micro 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. 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 vehicle 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, the vehicle inspection office will determine if they meet the scrapping standards and issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" if applicable. The vehicle 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 vehicle 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 and certificates 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 the vehicle is damaged and cannot be driven back to the place of registration, the vehicle owner may submit the scrapped vehicle to a local motor vehicle recycling company. Commercial vehicles converted to non-commercial use must be scrapped according to the original commercial vehicle scrapping period. According to Article 43 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", after completing the transfer or cancellation of a motor vehicle registration, the original vehicle owner can apply to the vehicle management office 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; (2) The vehicle owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years.

[StOlive]

As a veteran driver with 20 years of experience, I don't believe there's a fixed lifespan for vehicle scrapping, but generally around 10 to 15 years is reasonable. I've seen too many cases where engines or transmissions required major overhauls due to aging. If the car is driven aggressively and the mileage exceeds 150,000 kilometers, wear accelerates, and repair costs can easily hit tens of thousands. At that point, it's often more practical to just replace the car. Regular maintenance is absolutely crucial—like annual oil changes and brake system inspections—which can extend a car's lifespan by several years. But if minor issues become frequent, such as oil leaks or persistent shaking, don't push your luck; the safety risks are too high. Delaying repairs can cause costs to skyrocket and may lead to breakdowns on the road, especially risky for new drivers during that transitional period. My personal advice is to start keeping records of mileage and repairs from the day you buy the car, so you can assess its condition proactively.

[OKevin]

From a cost-saving perspective, I estimate that the time to scrap a vehicle is when the repair costs exceed the car's own value. For example, if the used car market values it at 50,000 yuan, but replacing the engine costs over 30,000 yuan, then scrapping it immediately is more economical, as a new car would be more reliable. I've also calculated other expenses, such as rising insurance and fuel costs for older cars, which add up to significant waste over time. Regular maintenance can delay scrapping, but when expensive parts like the chassis or shock absorbers fail, it's time to make a decisive move. After scrapping, selling the car as scrap metal can also recoup some costs. The key is to balance daily use with unexpected expenses and avoid being penny-wise but pound-foolish.

[LaSilas]

I care about the environment, so I emphasize that vehicle scrapping should follow safety regulations. Generally, vehicles that fail annual inspections for 10-15 years must be scrapped. For example, older cars with excessive emissions cause significant pollution, while recycling scrap steel is more environmentally friendly. Adhering to scheduled scrapping helps protect the environment.