How Many Years Must a Vehicle Be Scrapped?
4 Answers
There is no mandatory scrapping for vehicles, but the mileage limit for scrapping is 600,000 kilometers. Vehicles are exempt from inspection for the first six years, require annual inspection from six to fifteen years, and must be inspected twice a year after fifteen years. Vehicles that fail the inspection will be mandatorily scrapped. The vehicle scrapping period refers to a safety inspection system based on the number of seats and usage duration during the vehicle's service life. Conditions for vehicle scrapping include: 1. Severe damage or irreparable safety performance issues; 2. Obsolete models with no available spare parts; 3. Older vehicles with fuel consumption exceeding 15% of the factory standard; 4. Inability to meet safety standards after multiple repairs and adjustments; 5. Non-compliance with vehicle emission standards.
I work in vehicle inspection, and car owners often ask how many years a car can be driven before it's scrapped. In fact, domestic regulations don't set a fixed scrapping age for private passenger cars—it's not like they must be discarded after 15 or 20 years. The key is whether the vehicle's condition is safe. For example, if a car is too old with severe chassis rust, brake failure, or major engine issues, it won't pass the annual inspection, and then scrapping should be considered. But if a car is well-maintained, it can easily last 15 or even 20 years. I remember inspecting an old BMW that was already 21 years old and still safe to drive. So don't blindly believe in age limits—regular inspections are far better than guessing. If something goes wrong, the loss could be huge.
I personally feel there's no fixed age limit for scrapping a car, but emission issues can't be ignored. With the strict China VI and upcoming China VII standards, older vehicles with high emissions may exceed limits, potentially being banned from urban areas or forcibly scrapped. My neighbor's 18-year-old car was retired due to failing emission tests. Private cars don't have a mandatory retirement age, right? Environmental protection matters, and maintenance costs skyrocket for older vehicles – switching to new energy options proves more economical and eco-friendly. It's advisable to check policy updates every few years.
Ask me? There are no strict mandatory age limits for car scrapping. It's common to drive for 15 years, but if maintenance costs too much, it's better to scrap it. I've checked the regulations—as long as a passenger car passes the annual inspection, it can keep running. Driving up to 500,000 kilometers is roughly the limit; beyond that, safety risks increase, and buying a new one becomes more cost-effective. Don’t worry about the age—focus on maintenance costs.
