How Many Years Until a Passenger Car is Scrapped?
4 Answers
For domestic 5-seat passenger cars and 7-seat SUVs, non-commercial small and micro vehicles have no usage lifespan limit. When the normal mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide the vehicle to be scrapped. In addition to the above-mentioned vehicles, small and micro non-commercial passenger vehicles, large non-commercial passenger cars, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no usage lifespan restrictions. Commercial vehicles have scrapping time limits, as follows: Small and micro taxi passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 8 years, medium-sized taxi passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 10 years, and large taxi passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 12 years. Public transport passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 13 years, other small and micro 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 commercial trucks have a scrapping period of 8 years, light and large commercial trucks have a scrapping period of 10 years. The vehicle scrapping process is as follows: The vehicle owner applying for scrapping and renewal must fill out an "Application Form for Vehicle Modification, Transfer, Alteration, Suspension, or Scrapping" and stamp it with the owner's seal. The registration department will accept the application and issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" for vehicles that have reached the scrapping period. For vehicles that have not reached the scrapping period, the vehicle inspection department will determine whether they meet the scrapping standards and issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" if they do. The vehicle owner can choose a qualified recycling company to dismantle the vehicle with the "Notice". The recycling company will dismantle the vehicle and take photos after verifying the "Notice". The engine must be separated from the vehicle, the engine block must be broken, and the frame (chassis) must be cut. The vehicle owner must submit the "Modification Form", "XX Province Vehicle Renewal Technical Appraisal Form", "Scrapped Vehicle Recycling Certificate", and photos of the dismantled vehicle to the vehicle inspection department for verification and signature. The license plates will be reclaimed, and the scrapping registration will be processed according to regulations. Special Notes: According to Article 30 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", if the vehicle is damaged and cannot be driven back to the registration location, the owner can sell the scrapped vehicle to a local motor vehicle recycling company. If a commercial vehicle is converted to non-commercial use, it must be scrapped according to the original commercial vehicle's scrapping time. According to Article 43 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", after completing the transfer or cancellation of a motor vehicle's registration, the original owner can apply to the vehicle management office to use the original license plate number when registering a newly purchased vehicle. The application to use the original license plate number must meet the following conditions: (1) The application must be submitted within six months after the transfer or cancellation registration; (2) The owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years.
I've been driving a sedan for over twenty years in my fifties, and the scrapping time isn't fixed to a specific number of years. It mainly depends on your car's condition and policy regulations. My car couldn't run properly after just over 150,000 kilometers, with the engine frequently having issues. After several costly repairs, I had no choice but to scrap it. According to national regulations, private sedans don't have a mandatory scrapping age unless the vehicle is too old or fails annual inspections, such as due to excessive emissions or major safety hazards, which then require compulsory scrapping. I recommend car owners perform regular maintenance and inspections, especially after 10 years of use—check every six months to avoid sudden breakdowns affecting safety. If well-maintained, a sedan can still be driven after 15 to 20 years, but if financially feasible, replacing it with a new car is safer and more convenient.
I usually drive a small car to commute and care about environmental issues. The policies regarding vehicle scrapping are changing rapidly. The government is pushing for new energy vehicles to control pollution, which may lead to early retirement of old cars, especially when emission standards are upgraded. My car has been used for 10 years and still feels fine, but annual inspections are becoming stricter. If it fails multiple times, you might be advised to scrap it. With proper maintenance, a small car can last 15 years without major issues, but beyond 20 years, the engine aging becomes severe, and repair costs become too expensive to justify. Nowadays, many people replace their cars around the 10-year mark to avoid high fuel consumption and emissions. Safety is the top priority—don’t risk driving an old car just to squeeze out a few more years.
With a decade of car repair experience, I've seen numerous cases of vehicle scrapping, and the core issue is that the vehicle's condition, not its age, determines its fate. Wear and tear on the engine and transmission can limit lifespan, with most private cars requiring major overhauls after 150,000 to 200,000 kilometers. Poorly maintained vehicles may need scrapping in as little as 10 years, while well-kept ones can last up to 20. Policy-wise, there's no mandatory retirement age, but vehicles over 15 years old must pass biannual inspections or face elimination. Regular oil changes and brake checks during maintenance can extend service life, ensuring road safety and avoiding overloading.
