
Under normal usage conditions, there is no age limit for sedans, with the state recommending a scrapping mileage of 600,000 kilometers. Regulations related to vehicle scrapping: Starting from May 1, 2013, the new regulations for scrapping old vehicles came into effect, which abolished the scrapping age limit for private cars and mandated a maximum driving distance of 600,000 kilometers for compulsory scrapping. Documents required for vehicle scrapping: Copy of resident ID card (for private vehicles), copy of the enterprise organization code certificate with official seal (for company vehicles), 'Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate', 'Motor Vehicle Driving License', Application Form for Motor Vehicle Registration, Transfer, Cancellation/Transfer-in, Power of Attorney (to be filled out), and the motor vehicle itself.

I've been driving for almost 20 years and know many veteran car owners. Actually, there's no mandatory mileage limit for passenger car scrapping now - the previous 600,000 km compulsory retirement was abolished in 2013. It mainly depends on the vehicle condition and annual inspection status. My neighbor has a Passat that's already clocked 450,000 km and still running, while another friend's car was voluntarily scrapped just after reaching 300,000 km due to prohibitively expensive engine overhaul costs. From my experience, a well-maintained car can easily reach 400,000 km, but beyond that maintenance costs skyrocket, prompting many owners to consider replacement. Recently saw a news report about a vintage Jetta with 580,000 km still passing inspection at a Beijing testing station - truly impressive.

As a professional frequently dealing with used cars, I've observed that most private vehicles are scrapped when their mileage reaches the 300,000 to 400,000 kilometer range. With the implementation of the China VI emission standards, older vehicles failing to meet emission requirements are now more likely to be directed towards scrapping. Just last week, I took in a Corolla with 280,000 kilometers on it. The owner mentioned it could still run for a few more years, but severe chassis rust and excessive exhaust emissions to two failed annual inspections, prompting them to replace the car. It's worth noting that vehicles from mountainous or high-humidity areas often develop issues before hitting 350,000 kilometers, while well-maintained cars in southern cities commonly reach up to 500,000 kilometers.

My little Polo has been running for eight years and 150,000 kilometers, and I feel it can still go for at least five more years. Nowadays, young people change cars quickly; among my friends, the average car is replaced after 12 years, usually before reaching 300,000 kilometers. The quality of new cars is indeed good—a colleague’s hybrid Accord has already clocked 320,000 kilometers and is still used for commuting. Although there’s no mandatory retirement mileage, the mechanics always remind me to pay extra attention to the chassis and transmission once the car exceeds 250,000 kilometers, as repairs for these parts could cost more than the car itself. New environmental regulations are also shrinking the space for older cars, so it’s advisable not to take cars over 12 years old on long trips.

Back when I drove a taxi, our fleet had a mandatory retirement rule at 500,000 kilometers. While private cars don't have such standards, it's genuinely rare to see one exceed 600,000 km in actual use. The highest-mileage car I've encountered at my repair shop was an old Crown with 590,000 km, whose owner said the engine had undergone three major overhauls. Metal fatigue is inevitable - most cars start leaking oil and coolant around 250,000 km, with electrical faults becoming frequent after 350,000 km. Particularly for turbocharged models, the turbo lifespan is typically just 150,000 km. With strict environmental regulations now, older vehicles failing emissions tests are essentially only fit for scrapping.

After 15 years of repairing cars, I've noticed a pattern: Japanese cars generally can run over 400,000 kilometers, German cars around 350,000 kilometers, while domestic cars show significantly more faults at around 300,000 kilometers. The key is regular . Every month, I see cars that are prematurely scrapped due to improper maintenance. Last week, there was a car with only 120,000 kilometers that had a seized engine. Upon inquiry, it turned out the owner hadn't changed the oil for two years. It's recommended to check the chassis bushings and wiring every six months after 200,000 kilometers, and replace the timing belt at 250,000 kilometers. The new annual inspection regulations are particularly strict for cars over 10 years old, with vehicles failing emissions tests being directly advised for scrapping.


