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

[VonElena]

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 process. In addition to the above vehicles, small and micro non-commercial passenger vehicles, large non-commercial sedans, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no usage period limit. Common scrapping regulations for 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 and submit the "Application Form for Vehicle Modification, Transfer, Alteration, Suspension, or Scrapping" in duplicate, stamped with 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, after inspection and confirmation by the vehicle inspection office that they meet the scrapping standards, a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" will be issued. The owner can choose a qualified recycling company to dismantle the vehicle with 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 application will be submitted for approval according to regulations to complete the scrapping registration. Special notes: According to Article 30 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", if a vehicle is damaged and cannot be driven back to the registration location, the owner can submit the vehicle for scrapping to a local 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 can apply to use the original license plate number for a newly purchased vehicle when registering. The application to use the original license plate number 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.

[MacJulia]

When I bought my car, I specifically checked the regulations. Now, national policies have long changed, and there is no mandatory retirement age for private vehicles. However, the government has guidelines for retirement standards. For example, ordinary passenger cars should be retired after driving about 600,000 kilometers. Or if they fail to meet emission standards, like those old National I and National II vehicles, they are banned from entering some big cities, forcing you to replace them. My old neighbor has been driving his car for fifteen years and it still passes the annual inspection. As long as it can pass the safety and emissions tests, it can stay on the road. The annual inspection is crucial—if the car fails, even if it’s only been driven for ten years, it has to be disposed of. I recommend regular maintenance to extend its lifespan, but when it reaches high mileage, it’s wise to proactively consider replacing it.

[SanLeah]

I've been driving this car for almost ten years, and I feel it can still last a few more years with proper maintenance. Scrapping a car isn't just about age; it depends on mileage and condition. Generally, when key components like the engine and brake system wear out, risks increase significantly—for example, I've heard of engines shaking badly after 200,000 kilometers. I recommend regular checks on tire wear, fuel systems, and the chassis, as small issues can accumulate and cause problems during inspections. Ways to extend a car's lifespan include avoiding aggressive driving and changing oil on time. Some cars run fine for over 15 years, but based on my experience, repair costs start rising sharply after 12 years.

[LillianaMarie]

As someone who likes to crunch numbers, I believe how long a car can last depends on whether the repair costs are worth it. Maintenance is cheap in the first five or six years of a new car, but after ten years, parts start to wear out, and a single repair can cost over a thousand. For example, replacing worn brake pads or fixing a transmission issue—after a few repairs, the costs can add up to half a monthly payment on a new car. On the other hand, insurance and annual inspection fees may also increase, making older cars more expensive to maintain. If you're on a tight budget, keeping the old car might be fine; but I recommend evaluating around 150,000 kilometers—don’t stubbornly spend money on repairs when it might be better to scrap it and buy new.

[JakeLynn]

From an environmental perspective, cars shouldn't be kept running indefinitely, as older vehicles emit significantly more pollution. After China implemented the China VI emission standards, many China I and China II vehicles were restricted from entering urban areas, effectively forcing early retirement. I'm environmentally conscious and aware that a ten-year-old car can emit several times more exhaust than a new one, polluting the air while consuming more fuel. National policies encourage replacing old vehicles with new energy vehicles, with some regions offering subsidies. It's advisable to consider switching to more energy-efficient models after about ten years of use, which can save money and protect the environment.