How long does it take for a vehicle to be scrapped?
3 Answers
Vehicles will be scrapped if they have been in use for 15 years and have failed to obtain a qualified inspection mark for three consecutive inspection cycles, or if they have been driven for 600,000 kilometers. Owners of vehicles that have reached the scrapping standard can sell them to scrap motor vehicle recycling and dismantling enterprises. These enterprises will then register, dismantle, and destroy the vehicles in accordance with regulations, and submit the scrapped vehicle registration certificate, license plate, and driving license to the traffic management department of the public security authority for cancellation. Vehicle scrapping regulations: 1. The vehicle model is obsolete, and there are no longer any available parts; 2. After long-term use, the vehicle's fuel consumption exceeds 15% of the standard value specified by the national prototype vehicle factory; 3. Even after repair and adjustment, the vehicle still fails to meet the national technical requirements for motor vehicle operation safety.
The vehicle scrappage time mainly depends on national policies. Currently, there is no mandatory scrappage period for passenger cars, but vehicles over 15 years old require two annual inspections each year. If they fail the inspection or exceed 600,000 kilometers in mileage, they will be guided to be scrapped. Commercial vehicles face stricter requirements: taxis must be scrapped after 8 years of use, and light trucks after 12 years. Additionally, the upgrade of emission standards can also lead to early retirement of older vehicles. For example, China III vehicles are already restricted in many cities, and when China IV vehicles are banned, another batch will be phased out. In short, policy direction has the greatest impact on vehicle lifespan. As long as a regular private car is in good condition and passes the annual inspection, it can theoretically be driven indefinitely.
How long a car can last entirely depends on the owner's maintenance and usage habits. My old companion has been running for nearly 20 years, covering over 500,000 kilometers, all thanks to regular replacement of key components like engine oil, tires, and brake pads. However, a friend's car of the same model was scrapped in less than 10 years due to prolonged garage storage causing wiring aging, coupled with water accumulation soaking through the chassis rust. In fact, a car is like the human body; long-term idleness is more damaging than high-load usage. It's recommended to start the car at least twice a week, take a highway trip monthly to clear carbon deposits, and perform annual chassis rustproofing—this way, driving for 30 years wouldn't be surprising.
