
Non-commercial vehicles and commercial vehicles have different scrapping regulations, as detailed below: Scrapping regulations for non-commercial vehicles: For household 5-seat sedans and 7-seat SUVs, as well as small and micro non-commercial vehicles, there is no usage lifespan limit. However, when the mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the government will recommend scrapping. In addition to the above vehicles, small and micro non-commercial passenger cars, large non-commercial sedans, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no usage lifespan limit. Scrapping regulations for common commercial vehicles: Small and micro taxi passenger vehicles have a scrapping lifespan of 8 years, medium-sized taxi passenger vehicles have a scrapping lifespan of 10 years, and large taxi passenger vehicles have a scrapping lifespan of 12 years. Public transport passenger vehicles have a scrapping lifespan of 13 years, while other small and micro commercial passenger vehicles have a scrapping lifespan of 10 years, and large and medium-sized commercial passenger vehicles have a scrapping lifespan of 15 years. Micro commercial trucks have a scrapping lifespan of 8 years, while light and large commercial trucks have a scrapping lifespan of 10 years. The vehicle scrapping process is as follows: The vehicle owner must fill out and submit the "Motor Vehicle Change, Transfer, Modification, Suspension, or Scrapping Approval Application Form" and affix their seal. The registration office will accept the application and issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" for vehicles that have reached the scrapping lifespan. For vehicles that have not reached the scrapping lifespan, the motor 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 based on 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 chassis must be cut. The vehicle 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 approval. The license plates and certificates will be reclaimed, and the scrapping registration will be processed. Special Notes: According to Article 30 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations," if a vehicle is damaged and cannot be driven back to the registration location, the owner may submit the vehicle for scrapping to a local motor vehicle recycling company. If a commercial vehicle is converted to non-commercial use, it must still be scrapped according to the original commercial vehicle scrapping timeline. According to Article 43 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations," after completing a vehicle transfer or deregistration, the original owner may apply to use the original license plate number for a newly purchased vehicle when registering it. The application must meet the following conditions: (1) submitted within six months after the transfer or deregistration; (2) the owner must have owned the original vehicle for at least three years.

When I drove my first car, it ran 290,000 kilometers before being scrapped, mainly because the transmission failed and the repair cost was too high—it wasn’t just about the mileage. In fact, there’s no fixed mileage for scrapping a car. I’ve seen a friend’s car still running at 350,000 kilometers as long as it’s well-maintained: for example, changing the engine oil every six months, checking tire wear, and avoiding overloading can make the engine last longer. However, it’s common for cars to be scrapped between 200,000 and 280,000 kilometers, especially when safety components like brakes or steering fail, or when emissions exceed standards and fail the annual inspection. Another example is my neighbor’s old car, which was scrapped at 250,000 kilometers because the repair bill exceeded the car’s value. The key to extending a car’s lifespan is regular maintenance and timely minor repairs. Newer cars, like electric vehicles, might last even longer at higher mileages.

As someone who frequently researches cars, I believe the scrapping mileage depends on maintenance habits. If you maintain it well, such as replacing the air filter and brake pads on time, a car can easily exceed 300,000 kilometers. Core components like the engine and transmission system can last a long time as long as they haven't suffered major damage. I recommend checking key parts every 10,000 kilometers. However, in reality, between 250,000 and 300,000 kilometers, wear and tear increase, and repair costs may skyrocket, often leading people to choose scrapping. For example, if replacing the engine costs half the price of the car, it might be more economical to buy a new one. Tips to extend the car's lifespan include using high-quality lubricants and reducing sudden acceleration, which can allow the car to safely exceed 350,000 kilometers. Always remember, safety comes first.

Now I am more concerned about environmental protection. Driving too many kilometers will increase fuel consumption and emissions. Therefore, it's advisable to consider replacing the vehicle with a new energy car around 180,000 kilometers. Old cars are heavily polluting and inefficient, and extending their use is not environmentally friendly. It's better to upgrade to an electric or hybrid vehicle in time. Although maintenance can be postponed, it's more environmentally friendly to scrap the car between 150,000 to 200,000 kilometers overall.

From a cost-saving perspective, scrapping is usually based on cost. When a vehicle reaches around 220,000 kilometers, repair expenses such as replacing the engine or transmission may approach the residual value, making scrapping more reasonable at that point. New cars depreciate quickly and incur high maintenance costs afterward, with average scrapping typically occurring between 240,000 and 290,000 kilometers. Urban vehicles with less wear may last longer, but risks like difficulty renewing insurance or failing annual inspections should be factored in. My experience suggests that a car should be scrapped when its value falls below the repair quote.


