How many years can a National IV sedan be driven?
2 Answers
As long as the vehicle is in good condition, a National IV sedan can be driven indefinitely, but some cities may impose driving restrictions. The state has clear regulations that do not set a scrapping deadline for private passenger vehicles, only stipulating guided scrapping after driving 600,000 kilometers. Additionally, the mandatory scrapping period for light trucks and heavy trucks is 10 years. Automobile emission standards refer to regulations on the content of harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and soot emitted from vehicle exhaust. The causes of these harmful gases vary. CO is an intermediate product of incomplete fuel oxidation and is produced when oxygen is insufficient. A rich air-fuel mixture and uneven mixture distribution can increase CO emissions in the exhaust.
I've been driving a China IV emission standard car for nearly 12 years, and it still feels great to drive as long as maintenance is kept up. How long a car lasts mainly depends on how you maintain it—regular oil changes, emission system checks, and passing annual inspections mean no major issues. But policies are changing; in some big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, China III cars are already restricted, and China IV might face similar restrictions in 5-10 years. Emission standards are upgrading fast—China VI is already out—so how long can my car hold on? Small repairs cost a bit, but it's much cheaper than buying a new car. I'd advise friends to keep an eye on local traffic restrictions to avoid being stuck outside the city. As long as the engine doesn’t fail and emissions meet standards, driving for 15 years should be fine—I’m living proof.
