How Many Years Can a Car Be Driven?
3 Answers
The number of years a car can be driven varies by model: 1. Non-commercial passenger vehicles with fewer than 9 seats can be used for 15 years. If they meet the scrapping standards but are required to continue use, no approval is needed, and they can be extended after passing inspection; 2. Tourist passenger vehicles and non-commercial passenger vehicles with 9 or more seats can be used for 10 years. If they meet the scrapping standards but are required to continue use, they can be extended for a maximum of 10 years following current procedures; 3. Tourist passenger vehicles under extended scrapping must undergo 4 annual inspections, while non-commercial passenger vehicles with 9 or more seats under extended scrapping must undergo 2 annual inspections. For vehicles over 15 years old, 4 annual inspections are required starting from the 16th year; 4. The service life of commercial buses is adjusted to 10 years. If they meet the scrapping standards but are required to continue use, they can be extended for up to 4 years following current procedures, with 4 annual inspections during the extended period.
I've been driving a taxi for 15 years, so I'm the most qualified to speak on this issue. A car's lifespan isn't just about time; maintenance and driving conditions are key. Take my old Jetta for example—it runs 300 kilometers daily, gets full synthetic oil changes every 5,000 kilometers, has timely transmission fluid replacements, and any worn chassis parts are fixed immediately. Despite clocking 700,000 kilometers, the engine is in better shape than many new cars. With strict urban traffic restrictions now, many National III emission standard vehicles can't enter city centers, forcing owners to upgrade. Personally, I believe a well-maintained car can last 15 years without issues, but how long you actually drive it depends on policy constraints and your budget.
Having been in the used car appraisal business for so many years, there's really no fixed answer to how long a car can last. The first three years see the fastest depreciation, while the five to six-year mark is a high-risk period for mechanical failures—timing belts, shock absorbers, and other wear-prone parts reach their lifespan. I've seen 10-year-old Lexus models running smoother than brand-new cars, and 3-year-old Volkswagens requiring repairs that cost more than the car itself. The key lies in the previous owner's maintenance records and the extent of body rust. Modern fuel-injected engines can easily clock 300,000 kilometers, but aging plastic components and electronic system failures often prompt owners to replace their cars prematurely. Fifteen years is a critical threshold—beyond this age, insurance premiums rise significantly.
