How Many Years Can a Car Be Used Before It Is Scrapped?
2 Answers
For 5-seat family cars and 7-seat SUVs, as well as non-commercial small and mini vehicles, there is no usage lifespan limit. However, 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 cars, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no usage lifespan limit. Commercial vehicles have a scrapping lifespan, as follows: Small and mini taxi passenger cars have a scrapping lifespan of 8 years, medium-sized taxi passenger cars have a scrapping lifespan of 10 years, and large taxi passenger cars have a scrapping lifespan of 12 years. Public transport passenger cars have a scrapping lifespan of 13 years, other small and mini commercial passenger cars have a scrapping lifespan of 10 years, and large and medium-sized commercial passenger cars have a scrapping lifespan of 15 years. Mini commercial trucks have a scrapping lifespan of 8 years, light and large commercial trucks have a scrapping lifespan of 10 years. The vehicle scrapping process is as follows: The car owner applying for scrapping and renewal should fill out the "Motor Vehicle Change, Transfer, Modification, Suspension, and Scrapping Approval Application Form" in duplicate and stamp the owner's seal. The registration desk will accept the application and issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" for vehicles that have reached the scrapping lifespan. For vehicles that have not reached the scrapping lifespan, after inspection by the motor vehicle inspection desk, if 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 should submit 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 desk for verification and signature. The license plates and certificates will be reclaimed, and the scrapping registration will be processed according to regulations after approval. 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 hand over 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 time. 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 vehicle. 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 registration; (2) The owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years.
As a seasoned car enthusiast with years of driving experience, I can tell you that there's no fixed lifespan for a car's retirement—it all comes down to maintenance. I've owned several cars, and with proper upkeep, it's not uncommon for them to last 15 or even 20 years. A friend's Japanese car is still on the road after 18 years, all thanks to regular maintenance like oil changes every 5,000 kilometers, cleaning the filters, and checking the brake system. Neglect these, and a car can develop a host of problems in under a decade. Mileage is another critical factor; manufacturers typically recommend scrapping after 600,000 kilometers, but city driving often means hitting that limit sooner. Environmental regulations also play a role—older cars with excessive emissions face urban driving restrictions, nudging you toward retirement. Bottom line: invest a little time and money in maintenance, and you can significantly extend your car's life. Don't jump to scrapping at the first sign of trouble.
