How Long Until a Private Car is Mandatorily Scrapped?
2 Answers
For domestic 5-seat sedans and 7-seat SUVs, as well as non-commercial small and micro vehicles, there is no usage period limit. When the normal mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide the vehicle to be scrapped. Apart from the above-mentioned vehicles, small and micro non-commercial passenger vehicles, large non-commercial cars, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no usage period limit. Commercial vehicles have scrapping periods, as follows: 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 bus 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 "Motor Vehicle Change, Transfer, Modification, Suspension, and Scrapping Approval Application Form" in duplicate and stamp 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 and verification by the motor vehicle inspection office, if 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 "Change Form", "XX Province Vehicle Renewal Technical Appraisal Form", "Scrapped Vehicle Recycling Certificate", and photos of the dismantled vehicle to the motor 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 registration location, 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 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 motor 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.
To be honest, I was also curious about the mandatory scrapping of private cars when I first bought one. In China, there's actually no clear age limit that requires private cars to be scrapped. The policy is based on mileage—if it exceeds 600,000 kilometers, you'll be advised to scrap it, but it's not mandatory. My friend's car is still in use after 15 years, mainly depending on the car's condition and whether it can pass the annual inspection. If the emissions exceed the standard or the brakes fail, the police will require you to dispose of it. I think the key is regular maintenance, checking the engine and chassis to avoid breakdowns on the road. New cars may be more comfortable, but old cars carry sentimental value. With proper maintenance, they can last a long time. Don't worry about mandatory scrapping—the government cares more about safety and environmental protection.
