How Many Kilometers Can a Car Run Before Being Scrapped?
3 Answers
For household 5-seat sedans and 7-seat SUVs, non-commercial small and mini vehicles have no usage lifespan limit. When the normal mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide the vehicle to be scrapped. In addition to the above vehicles, small and mini non-commercial passenger vehicles, large non-commercial sedans, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no usage lifespan limit. Commercial vehicles have scrapping age limits as follows: Small and mini taxi passenger vehicles have a scrapping age limit of 8 years, medium-sized taxi passenger vehicles 10 years, and large taxi passenger vehicles 12 years. Public bus passenger vehicles have a scrapping age limit of 13 years, other small and mini commercial passenger vehicles 10 years, and large and medium-sized commercial passenger vehicles 15 years. Mini commercial trucks have a scrapping age limit of 8 years, light and large commercial trucks 10 years. The vehicle scrapping process is as follows: The owner of the vehicle applying for scrapping and renewal must fill out an "Application Form for Vehicle Modification, Transfer, Alteration, Suspension, or Scrapping" and stamp it with the owner's seal. The registration office will accept the application and issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" for vehicles that have reached the scrapping age. For vehicles that have not reached the scrapping age, 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 application will be submitted for approval according to regulations to complete the scrapping registration. 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 recycling company in the vehicle's current location. If a commercial vehicle is converted to a non-commercial vehicle, it must be scrapped according to the original commercial vehicle's scrapping time. According to Article 43 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", after completing the transfer or cancellation of a motor vehicle, the original owner can apply to the vehicle management office to use the original license plate number when registering a new vehicle. The application to use the original license plate number must meet the following conditions: (1) The application must be submitted within six months after the transfer or cancellation; (2) The owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years.
There is no fixed mileage for my small car to be scrapped; it mainly depends on maintenance and the condition of the car. My car has driven over 300,000 kilometers, and with good maintenance, there isn’t even a single rattle. In fact, mileage is just a reference; what truly matters are daily usage habits and regular inspections. If the car’s engine is stable and the chassis is solid, it can still be used even after exceeding 400,000 kilometers. However, I’ve seen some cars scrapped at just 200,000 kilometers due to accidents or severe rust from neglected maintenance. The age of the car also needs to be considered; even if an older car over ten years has low mileage, aging rubber parts will need replacement. Safety is the top priority—for example, if the braking system deteriorates, it must be addressed promptly. Overall, it’s recommended to conduct a comprehensive inspection every 50,000 kilometers to extend the car’s lifespan and avoid unexpected scrapping.
As someone who has been repairing cars for many years, I've found that the mileage at which a car is scrapped varies from person to person, ranging from 300,000 to 700,000 kilometers. The core issues are the integrity of the chassis, engine wear, and electronic system failures. For example, a well-maintained car with oil changes every 5,000 kilometers and timely brake pad replacements can easily exceed 600,000 kilometers. However, in reality, if repair costs start to pile up—such as a transmission repair costing over ten thousand dollars, more than the car's value—it's time to consider scrapping it. In terms of policies, some regions mandate scrapping at 600,000 kilometers, but I emphasize safety first: if the car fails the annual inspection due to unqualified emissions or malfunctioning airbags, it should be replaced regardless of the mileage. Environmental factors also play a role, as older cars with poor emissions negatively impact urban air quality. Maintaining good maintenance habits can delay this endpoint.
