How many more years can a 2005 Teana be driven?
4 Answers
Currently, there is no mandatory scrapping period for private cars. After six years, they require an annual inspection, and after fifteen years, they need to be inspected twice a year. As long as the car passes the inspection and is in good condition, it can continue to be driven indefinitely. Scrapping Regulations: China has clear regulations that do not set a scrapping period for private passenger vehicles, only guiding scrapping after reaching 600,000 kilometers. Additionally, light and heavy-duty trucks have a mandatory scrapping period of 10 years, which can be extended up to 5 years, making the maximum scrapping period for National IV trucks 15 years. Vehicle Annual Inspection: Vehicle annual inspection refers to a mandatory test for all vehicles with official license plates and registration certificates, equivalent to an annual physical examination for the vehicle according to the "Technical Conditions for Motor Vehicle Operation Safety." The annual inspection helps promptly eliminate potential safety hazards, encourages better vehicle maintenance, and reduces the occurrence of traffic accidents.
I've been driving my 2005 Teana for over a decade now, and I feel that with proper maintenance, it could easily last another five or six years. The key is to check the maintenance records and actual vehicle condition – my neighbor's 2007 model is still running long-distance trips. The crucial points are regular oil and filter changes, mandatory inspection of rubber components every five years (especially the chassis bushings which deteriorate quickly – if you hear creaking over speed bumps, replace them immediately). With diligent timing belt replacements, even 300,000 kilometers isn't scary. However, do monitor fuel consumption in older cars – mine currently uses 12L/100km, significantly higher than new models, but the money saved on car purchases makes it tolerable. As long as major components aren't failing, just keep driving it!
I recently took over my dad's 2005 Teana, and it's quite stable for city commuting. According to current policies, China III emission standard vehicles aren't subject to mandatory scrapping yet, but they might face driving restrictions in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. If you live in third or fourth-tier cities away from strict emission policy areas, you could probably drive it for another three to four years. I pass the bi-annual inspection every time - the key is maintaining the catalytic converter properly to avoid issues with emission tests. However, older cars do have more minor problems. Last year, I had to replace all four power window regulators, which cost over 2,000 RMB. If you encounter major issues like engine oil burning or transmission slipping, the repair costs could amount to half the price of a new car.
My 2005 Teana has clocked 260,000 km so far, and I just replaced the shock absorbers for the third time a few days ago. The mechanic said that for such an old car, the key is to check three major components: as long as the engine makes no strange noises, the transmission shifts smoothly, and the chassis isn't loose, it can still be used. I check the oil dipstick every month and top it up if I find the oil level low. Currently, the annual maintenance cost is about three to four thousand yuan, mainly for replacing wear-and-tear parts. If you drive less than 10,000 km a year, spending on repairs is more cost-effective than buying a new car. However, the airbags in an old car may fail, and the safety rating is lower, so this point needs to be considered carefully.
