How Many Kilometers Does a Car Need to Travel Before Being Scrapped?
3 Answers
Non-commercial vehicles and commercial vehicles have different scrapping periods, as detailed below: Scrapping regulations for non-commercial vehicles: For household 5-seat sedans and 7-seat SUVs, there is no usage period limit for non-commercial small and micro vehicles. When the normal mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide the 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 period limit. Common scrapping regulations for commercial vehicles: 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 transport 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 owner of the car applying for scrapping and renewal must fill out the "Application Form for Vehicle Modification, Transfer, Alteration, Suspension, or Scrapping" 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 confirmation by the 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". After verifying the "Notice", the recycling company will dismantle the vehicle and take photos. 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 plate and certificate 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 hand over 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 the motor vehicle registration, the original owner can apply to the vehicle management office to use the original license plate number when registering a newly purchased motor 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 of registration; (2) The owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years.
I've driven several cars, and those with high mileage can run up to around 300,000 kilometers before being scrapped. However, with good maintenance like regular oil changes and brake pad replacements, their lifespan can be extended. Don't just focus on the mileage; as a car ages, rubber parts harden, metal rusts, and the suspension becomes loose, making the ride shaky and uncomfortable. If you frequently drive long distances or carry heavy loads, the car may be scrapped earlier, around 150,000 to 200,000 kilometers. Safety risks are the main reason—issues like engine smoke or transmission slippage are too dangerous, and the car should be stopped immediately. It's recommended to do a full inspection every 50,000 kilometers, checking the chassis and electrical system to prevent problems from dragging on until scrapping, saving money and ensuring peace of mind.
I've been driving a used car with nearly 200,000 kilometers on it, and it still feels pretty good. Scrapping a car isn't just about mileage; it depends on driving habits and maintenance. For example, a friend's car is still running fine at 250,000 kilometers because he takes good care of it. High-mileage cars often have issues like loud engine noise, burning oil, or oil leaks, but if addressed early, they can last much longer. City driving with frequent traffic jams causes less wear, while lots of highway driving might lead to earlier scrapping around 180,000 kilometers. Financially, older cars cost more in insurance and fuel, so if it's not worth it, consider upgrading. Always listen to your mechanic's advice and don't take risks.
