How Long Until a Vehicle is Considered Scrapped?
2 Answers
An automobile that has not undergone inspection for three years is considered scrapped. According to relevant regulations, a registered motor vehicle shall be mandatorily scrapped under any of the following circumstances: 1. It still fails to meet the national standards for the safety technical requirements of in-use vehicles after repair and adjustment; 2. After repair and adjustment or the adoption of control technology, the pollutants or noise emitted into the atmosphere still fail to meet the national standards for in-use vehicles; 3. It has not obtained the motor vehicle inspection compliance mark for three consecutive inspection cycles after the expiration of the inspection validity period. The owner of the scrapped vehicle shall sell the motor vehicle to a recycling and dismantling enterprise for scrapped motor vehicles, which will carry out registration, dismantling, destruction, and other processes in accordance with regulations, and submit the scrapped motor vehicle registration certificate, license plate, and driving license to the traffic management department of the public security authority for cancellation.
I have experienced the scrapping process of several cars. From a regulatory perspective, cars may be forcibly scrapped after about 15 years, especially in places like China, where the standard is typically 15 years of age or 600,000 kilometers driven. However, there is now more emphasis on emission testing—if a car emits excessive black smoke or fails to meet standards, it will be sent to the scrapyard. In reality, a car's lifespan is influenced by various factors, such as the quality of regular maintenance and whether the driving environment is harsh. Older cars are prone to mechanical issues, like engine wear or brake failure, posing high safety risks. When scrapping, you can receive subsidies, which is a good opportunity to make way for a new car. Don’t wait until the car completely breaks down to scrap it—that’s not cost-effective. My experience is that regular annual inspections help detect problems early, allowing timely action.
