How Many Years Until a Commercial Vehicle is Mandatorily Scrapped?
3 Answers
Regulations on the mandatory scrapping period for commercial vehicles: Small and micro-sized taxi passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 8 years, medium-sized taxi passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 10 years, and large-sized taxi passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 12 years. Public bus passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 13 years, other small and micro-sized commercial passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 10 years, and large and medium-sized commercial passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 15 years. Micro-sized commercial trucks have a scrapping period of 8 years, while light and large-sized commercial trucks have a scrapping period of 10 years. Difference between recommended scrapping and mandatory scrapping: Recommended scrapping suggests scrapping, but if the vehicle still meets the requirements for continued use, it may not be scrapped. Mandatory scrapping means the vehicle must, without exception, be scrapped. There are four criteria for mandatory scrapping: Reaching the stipulated service life; After repair and adjustment, still failing to meet the national standards for in-use vehicle safety technical requirements; After repair and adjustment or the adoption of control technology, still failing to meet national standards for in-use vehicle requirements regarding atmospheric pollutant emissions or noise; Failing to obtain the motor vehicle inspection qualification mark for three consecutive inspection cycles after the expiration of the inspection validity period.
I've been driving freight trucks for fifteen years and have quite some experience with the mandatory scrapping of commercial vehicles. Generally, taxis and passenger transport vehicles must be scrapped after 8 years, while some small training vehicles or hazardous material transport vehicles can last up to 10 years. For freight trucks like our semi-trailers, the limit is 15 years. These policies are set for safety reasons—over time, vehicle parts wear out severely, increasing the risk of accidents. My old friend Lao Wang didn’t scrap his truck on time two years ago, leading to a brake failure on the road that caused a collision. He ended up paying a lot in compensation and causing delays. I advise vehicle owners to plan their replacement schedules ahead and not wait until the last minute. Regular maintenance, like oil changes and tire checks, can slightly extend the vehicle’s lifespan, but don’t expect too much. The regulations are there for everyone’s good, to prevent chain-reaction disasters on the road.
Our family runs a small business and uses a minivan for transportation. The mandatory scrapping age for commercial vehicles is really something to pay attention to. Taxis have an 8-year limit, while mini trucks are around 12 years—this directly affects our household expenses. Older vehicles come with high maintenance costs. Last year, when our van was nearing the scrapping age, the monthly repair bills were almost enough to buy a new electric scooter, nearly impacting our child's tuition fees. The strict policies are mainly for environmental and safety reasons—older vehicles tend to exceed emission standards and are prone to breakdowns. I've taught my son to develop the habit of checking the vehicle's age records and start saving for a replacement two or three years in advance, so we're not caught off guard. Safety comes first—don’t take risks to save money. An accident on the road is something our whole family can’t afford.
