How many more years can a 12-year-old car be driven?
2 Answers
According to relevant regulations, a 12-year-old car can still be driven for: 1. Private cars: Generally, private cars (non-commercial passenger vehicles) have no mandatory retirement age. 2. Non-commercial passenger vehicles with nine seats or fewer: The retirement period is 15 years, with no upper limit on extension, which is equivalent to having no retirement age. The service life of various types of motor vehicles is clearly stipulated as follows: 1. 8 years: The retirement period for small and micro rental passenger vehicles is 8 years. 2. 10 years: The retirement period for medium-sized rental passenger vehicles is 10 years. 3. 12 years: The retirement period for large rental passenger vehicles is 12 years. 4. 13 years: The retirement period for public passenger vehicles is 13 years. 5. 15 years: The retirement period for specialized school buses is 15 years. 6. 20 years: The retirement period for medium and large non-commercial passenger vehicles (excluding large sedans) is 20 years.
My old car has been running for 12 years and still drives smoothly. It could easily last another three to five years with proper maintenance. The key is to keep up with regular servicing—annual oil and filter changes, addressing minor issues promptly before they become major problems. The car's brand also affects longevity; Japanese cars, for instance, are typically more durable and can easily surpass 10 years. My garage neighbor's 1998 Toyota is still running strong thanks to his DIY repairs. Driving habits matter too—avoid frequent hard braking at high speeds to reduce wear on tires and brake pads, which helps extend the car's lifespan. As long as the frame isn’t rusted and the engine has no major issues, hitting 15 years is possible. But safety comes first—make sure it passes annual inspections without a hitch.
