How Many Years Until a Compact Car is Mandatorily Scrapped?
2 Answers
Regular family sedans do not have a mandatory scrapping period. Below is relevant information about mandatory vehicle scrapping: Background: The new version of the "Regulations on the Mandatory Scrapping Standards for Motor Vehicles" has been in the works for many years. Previously, China's vehicle scrapping standards originated from the "Automobile Scrapping Standards" issued on July 15, 1997, which set the mandatory scrapping standard for private cars at 10 years or 100,000 kilometers driven. Later, with the rapid development of China's automotive industry and improvements in vehicle technology, this limitation was deemed overly stringent. Mandatory Scrapping Regulations: Order No. 12 of 2012 by the Ministry of Commerce, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Public Security, and Ministry of Environmental Protection: "Regulations on the Mandatory Scrapping Standards for Motor Vehicles".
I've been driving compact cars for over a decade, and regarding the scrapping age for small vehicles, there's no rigid national policy. It mainly depends on the annual inspection to determine whether the car can stay on the road. My little Toyota is almost 15 years old and still running well, passing the annual inspection every year. The inspection focuses on safety and emissions—if you maintain your car properly, like changing the oil regularly and checking the brakes, driving it for twenty years isn't an issue. However, older cars tend to develop minor problems, and repair costs can rise, with some parts becoming painfully expensive to replace. I recommend owners pay extra attention to maintenance and keep a record of repair history—if the annual inspection reveals unfixable issues, the car will be forcibly scrapped. From a practical driving perspective, I've encountered many older cars where the increasing noise and sluggish acceleration become annoying over time, making it more sensible to consider upgrading to a new car for convenience and safety.
