How Many Years Until a New Car is Mandatorily Scrapped?
3 Answers
Currently, there is no mandatory scrapping period for new cars as long as they are private passenger vehicles. Service life for various types of motor vehicles: Small and mini taxi passenger vehicles have a service life of 8 years, medium-sized taxi passenger vehicles 10 years, and large taxi passenger vehicles 12 years; rental passenger vehicles 15 years; small training passenger vehicles 10 years, medium-sized training passenger vehicles 12 years, and large training passenger vehicles 15 years; public transport passenger vehicles 13 years; other small and mini commercial passenger vehicles 10 years, large and medium-sized commercial passenger vehicles 15 years; dedicated school buses 15 years; large and medium-sized non-commercial passenger vehicles, excluding large cars, 20 years; three-wheeled vehicles and low-speed trucks with single-cylinder engines 9 years, other trucks including semi-trailer tractors and full-trailer tractors 15 years. Vehicle scrapping standards: Reaching the prescribed service life; failing to meet the national standards for in-use vehicle safety technical requirements; atmospheric pollutants or noise still not meeting the national standards for in-use vehicle requirements; failing to obtain the motor vehicle inspection qualification mark within three inspection cycles.
In China, when purchasing a new car as a private small passenger vehicle, I remember there is no fixed mandatory scrapping period. The old policy used to have age restrictions, but the new regulations have long been changed. Now, mandatory requirements only apply to commercial vehicles and large vehicles. For us ordinary people, the key point is the guided scrapping standard: after the car has run 600,000 kilometers or is over 15 years old, it must pass stricter annual inspections to continue being driven. If it fails to meet safety standards, it must be scrapped. I've been driving my old car for over a decade, and it's still running because regular maintenance and part replacements have helped it pass inspections. Don’t worry about not being able to drive a new car for many years—as long as you maintain it on time every year, pay attention to the brakes and engine condition, it can easily last over a decade. A car is like our mobile asset; taking good care of it can save a lot of money and ensure safety and peace of mind.
When I first got my new car, I was really hung up on the scrappage age issue and had to dig through tons of materials before feeling at ease. Currently, private cars in China don't have a mandatory scrappage age, only what's called 'guidance scrappage'—meaning that after a car exceeds 600,000 kilometers or reaches 15 years old, the annual inspection requirements become stricter, and if it fails, scrappage is recommended. The policy mainly aims to promote safety and environmental protection, avoiding the risks of old cars on the road. I recommend new car owners develop good habits: get a basic check-up every six months, keep track of the mileage, and prevent minor issues from turning into major problems. This way, the car can not only last longer but also enhance the driving experience and avoid accidents. Remember, the first few years with a new car are the most cost-effective—don't rush into repairs unnecessarily, and considering a replacement after 8-10 years is perfectly normal.
