How Many Years Can a Car Be Driven Before It Can Be Scrapped?

[StAndres]

For domestic 5-seat sedans and 7-seat SUVs, as well as non-commercial small and mini vehicles, there is no usage period limit. When the normal mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide the vehicle to be scrapped. In addition to the above vehicles, small and mini non-commercial passenger cars, large non-commercial sedans, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no usage period limit. Commercial vehicles have a scrapping period, as follows: Small and mini 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 mini 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. Mini 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 car owner applying for scrapping and renewal must fill out one copy of the "Motor Vehicle Change, Transfer, Modification, Suspension, Scrapping Approval Application Form" and stamp the owner's seal. The registration office accepts the application and issues a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" for vehicles that have reached the scrapping period. For vehicles that have not reached the scrapping period, the motor vehicle inspection office will determine if they meet the scrapping standards and issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" if they do. The owner chooses a qualified recycling company to dismantle the vehicle with the "Notice". The recycling company dismantles the vehicle and takes photos after verifying the "Notice". The engine must be separated from the vehicle, the engine block must be broken, and the frame (chassis) must be cut. The owner submits the "Change Form", "XX Province Vehicle Renewal Technical Appraisal Form", "Scrapped Vehicle Recycling Certificate", and vehicle dismantling photos to the motor vehicle inspection office for verification and signature. The license plates are then recycled, and the scrapping registration is 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 sell the scrapped vehicle to a local motor vehicle recycling company. If a commercial vehicle is converted to non-commercial use, 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 motor vehicle registration, the original owner can apply to use the original license plate number when registering a newly purchased vehicle. The application must meet the following conditions: (1) The application must be submitted within six months after the transfer or cancellation registration; (2) The owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years.

[Young]

How many years can a car be driven before it's scrapped? I think it can't be generalized and depends on safety and vehicle condition. The official standard is mandatory scrapping after about 15 years. For example, China stipulates that small cars must be retired after 15 years or reaching 600,000 kilometers to ensure road safety. The risks of old cars are substantial: the engine might suddenly stall, brake system wear could lead to loss of control accidents, and failing annual inspections due to excessive emissions or mechanical faults means immediate discontinuation. However, with proper maintenance, a car can last over 20 years—just regularly change the oil, check the tires, and avoid long-distance driving on harsh roads. When I was younger, I drove a car for nearly 17 years simply because of diligent maintenance. Ultimately, I recommend owners pay extra attention to annual inspection results after 10 years and scrap the car early if issues arise. Nowadays, many new models come with safety-assist technologies like automatic braking systems for added peace of mind—don’t wait until an accident happens to regret it.