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

[SanReed]

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, as well as small and micro non-commercial vehicles, there is no usage period limit. 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. Scrapping Regulations for Common 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 car owner applying for scrapping and renewal must fill out the "Application Form for Vehicle Modification, Transfer, Alteration, Suspension, or Scrapping" in duplicate and affix 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, the vehicle inspection office will determine if they meet the scrapping standards and issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" if applicable. The owner will choose a qualified recycling company to dismantle the vehicle based on the "Notice". The recycling company will dismantle the vehicle and take 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 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 plates 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 a vehicle is damaged and cannot be driven back to the place of registration, the owner may sell 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 a motor vehicle's registration, the original owner may apply to use the original license plate number when registering a new motor vehicle. The application must meet the following conditions: (1) The application must be submitted within six months after the transfer or cancellation; (2) The owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years.

[IkerRose]

From my personal experience, there's no fixed number for how many years a car can last before being scrapped—it all depends on how you maintain and use it. A car is just like a person; it needs regular check-ups and maintenance to live a long life. If you change the engine oil frequently, use genuine oil, and avoid speeding, you can reduce wear and extend its lifespan. The frame and chassis need rust protection, especially in rainy and humid areas, otherwise corrosion can lead to early scrapping. My old car has been running for 18 years and is still in good health, simply because I always stick to the maintenance schedule, including small tasks like replacing belts and checking brake pads. Of course, if repair costs start exceeding half the car's value, or if it fails the annual inspection—due to emissions standards or brake failure—it might be time to consider scrapping it. On average, with good maintenance, most cars can last 15-25 years, and some classic cars have even survived over 30 years. The key is to take good care of it and not let small issues turn into big problems.

[McAdeline]

From an economic perspective, the decision to scrap a car really comes down to maintenance costs versus remaining value. I once drove a decade-old car, but after doing the math, I realized the annual repair bills were almost equivalent to monthly payments on a new car—that's when I decided to replace it. As cars age, components deteriorate. For instance, a transmission failure could cost 10,000 to 20,000 yuan, and a deformed bumper might set you back several thousand. At that point, buying a slightly newer used car often makes more financial sense. With today's volatile fuel prices, older cars' higher fuel consumption leads to exponentially growing gas expenses the more you drive. Additionally, after ten years, resale value plummets—some owners simply drive their cars to the scrapyard for a small subsidy. On average, if a car is in good condition and passes annual inspections, keeping it for 15-20 years can still be economically viable, but setting aside a few thousand annually for a maintenance fund is crucial to prepare for unexpected repairs.

[DelMila]

Regarding vehicle retirement age, regulations vary significantly across regions. Let me highlight China's situation. The previous policy mandated a 15-year compulsory retirement for passenger vehicles, but it has now shifted to a guidance mechanism based on accumulated mileage of 600,000 kilometers. Vehicles over 10 years old require annual inspections, while those over 20 years need semi-annual checks, focusing on emissions and safety performance. In my hometown, a neighbor still drives a 12-year-old car that passes inspections due to proper maintenance meeting emission standards. In contrast, places like the U.S. have no fixed retirement age, relying solely on vehicle condition, though older cars face higher insurance and tax burdens. Ultimately, there's no absolute maximum retirement age—I recommend checking local regulations and maintaining your vehicle in good condition as the key factor.