How Many Years Can a Car Be Driven Before Scrapping?
4 Answers
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, there is no usage period limit for non-commercial small and micro cars. 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. Common scrapping regulations for commercial vehicles: Small and micro taxi passenger cars have a scrapping period of 8 years, medium-sized taxi passenger cars have a scrapping period of 10 years, and large taxi passenger cars have a scrapping period of 12 years. Public transport passenger cars have a scrapping period of 13 years, other small and micro commercial passenger cars have a scrapping period of 10 years, and large and medium-sized commercial passenger cars 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 a copy of the "Motor Vehicle Change, Transfer, Modification, Suspension, and Scrapping Approval Application Form" and affix 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, after being verified by the motor vehicle inspection office and meeting the scrapping standards, a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" is issued. 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 photos of the dismantled vehicle to the motor vehicle inspection office for verification and signature. The license plates are recycled, and the scrapping registration is processed according to regulations after approval. Special notes: According to Article 30 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", if the vehicle cannot be driven back to the registration location due to damage, the owner can sell the scrapped vehicle to a local motor vehicle recycling company. Commercial vehicles converted to non-commercial use must be scrapped according to the original commercial vehicle 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 the vehicle management office to use the original license plate number when registering a newly purchased motor vehicle. The application must meet the following conditions: (1) The application is submitted within six months after the transfer or cancellation registration; (2) The owner has owned the original vehicle for more than three years.
Having driven for many years, I think it's really hard to say how long a car can last before being scrapped. I remember my old Toyota, which I've had for 18 years now. Apart from replacing a few small parts, the engine still runs, just with higher fuel consumption. Actually, there's no strict lifespan for car scrapping—it all depends on how you maintain it. Regular maintenance can significantly extend its life, like changing the oil annually and checking the brakes. If you don’t take care of it, with frequent bumps or driving on rough roads, it might break down in just a few years. In China, private cars over 15 years old must undergo two annual inspections, and those exceeding 600,000 kilometers are recommended for scrapping, but it's not mandatory. Safety is the top priority—older cars tend to have more issues and are more prone to accidents. So, it's best to get rid of them when they can't run anymore or become too expensive to repair, rather than pushing it. A good car can last over 20 years, but the key is maintaining good habits.
Young people might wonder, with today's advanced automotive technology, why stick to outdated notions of scrapping cars? I believe a car's lifespan is also tied to the era. In the past, gasoline cars were often scrapped after a few hundred thousand kilometers, but with simpler electric vehicle structures, they might last even longer. Of course, usage frequency matters—daily highway driving wears a car out faster than occasional household use. Environmental policies also play a role; for example, some areas have emission limits, and older cars that fail annual inspections must be scrapped. From personal experience, a friend replaced their car in less than ten years due to constant minor issues. Running a car until it's scrapped can be more economical—driving it a few more years saves a lot of money. Ultimately, there's no fixed lifespan; proper maintenance is key, and cars lasting over 15 years are quite common.
Common issues during car repairs determine whether a vehicle can keep running. With proper maintenance, such as timely part replacements and system cleanings, a car can last for a long time. In reality, many people drive aggressively and neglect minor faults, leading to high repair costs after a few years and potential scrapping. From a policy perspective, China imposes strict annual inspections after 15 years, while countries like the U.S. have no rigid restrictions. From a safety standpoint, older cars are prone to brake or light failures, posing higher risks. On average, well-built cars can last ten years without issues, but beyond that, it depends on luck. I recommend regular check-ups and addressing problems before they escalate to extend the vehicle's lifespan.
