How Many Years Can a Car Be Used Before Scrapping?

[ZoeLynn]

Non-commercial small and mini vehicles have no usage lifespan limit. The specific details are as follows: Elimination of the driving age limit for non-commercial cars: The latest 2020 vehicle scrapping regulations abolished the driving age limit for non-commercial cars, while setting the private car scrapping mileage limit at 600,000 kilometers. Implementation of mandatory scrapping: Previously, the scrapping age was 15 years. Currently, when the mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide the scrapping process. For vehicles older than 15 years, inspections are required every 6 months. If the vehicle fails the inspection, it will be mandatorily scrapped.

[EvaAnn]

Regarding how long a car can last before being scrapped, I personally think it's quite complicated. My old car, which I drove for over ten years, was fine at first, but later it started having frequent issues like engine noise and transmission jerks. Every trip to the repair shop cost a fortune. Plus, with increasingly strict annual inspections and the emission standards upgraded to China VI, older cars struggle to pass. In the end, it couldn’t even reach 600,000 kilometers before being scrapped. For regular family cars, if they’re heavily used and poorly maintained, they might start struggling after about ten years. With good maintenance, they can last up to fifteen years, but the expensive parts can be a headache. Sometimes, buying a new one is more cost-effective and saves fuel and hassle.

[Logan]

From my perspective, the key factors for vehicle retirement are technology and regulations. Core components like car engines and chassis typically have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Beyond that, severe wear occurs, and repair costs may exceed the vehicle's value. In China, non-commercial passenger vehicles have no mandatory retirement age, but they must be scrapped if they reach 600,000 kilometers or exceed emission standards. I've seen many older cars with 200,000-300,000 kilometers where the probability of issues increases significantly, posing higher safety risks. Regular maintenance can extend lifespan, but overall, it's recommended to conduct more frequent inspections for vehicles over 10 years old to avoid accidents.

[MacHayden]

When it comes to car scrapping, I'm particularly concerned about environmental protection. With the popularity of new energy vehicles nowadays, old cars cause significant pollution and are naturally phased out once their emissions exceed standards. After driving my small car for seven or eight years, I've noticed its power isn't what it used to be, fuel consumption has skyrocketed, and driving it has become less environmentally friendly. The new policy encourages scrapping high-emission vehicles, such as National I and National II models, which face driving restrictions. If you prioritize a low-carbon lifestyle, replacing your car every five to ten years is more eco-friendly and may qualify you for subsidies. With proper maintenance, a car's lifespan can reach fifteen years, but replacing it earlier saves more hassle.