How Many Years Until a Pickup Truck is Mandatorily Scrapped?
3 Answers
In China, pickup trucks are classified as light-duty trucks with a mandatory scrapping period of 10 years. However, owners can apply for an extension of up to 5 years. During the extension period, the vehicle must undergo two annual inspections. This means a pickup truck can be used for a maximum of 15 years before mandatory scrapping.
In China, the mandatory scrapping period for pickup trucks primarily depends on their usage nature. If a pickup is registered as a commercial vehicle, such as for cargo transportation, according to current policies, the mandatory scrapping period is generally 15 years. This stems from the strict management of commercial vehicles by the state, as they have high mileage, are prone to aging, and can affect safety. If a pickup is registered for private use, there is no fixed mandatory scrapping period. However, if the vehicle fails its annual inspection for three consecutive cycles or accumulates over 600,000 kilometers, it will be mandatorily guided to be scrapped. As an experienced driver, I believe it's important to focus on vehicle maintenance and timely annual inspections to avoid problems later. With strict environmental standards now, older pickups have higher emissions. Dealing with them early can reduce pollution, and replacing them with a new vehicle is more cost-effective—fuel-efficient and safer. Overall, the policies are designed for public safety.
I frequently work on car repairs and have handled many pickup truck scrapping cases. Mandatory scrapping isn't a one-size-fits-all rule. For commercial-use pickups, like those for courier services or construction sites, they're typically scrapped after 15 years for a simple reason: older vehicles have more faults and higher safety risks. However, private-use pickups are treated more leniently with no fixed scrapping age, but they must undergo inspection every six years initially, then annually thereafter. If the vehicle fails the inspection or exceeds the mileage limit of 600,000 kilometers, it will be guided to scrap. I advise owners not to overlook routine maintenance, such as tire and brake checks, to extend the vehicle's lifespan. By the way, before scrapping, you can sell it to a recycling plant for some subsidy. I've seen some old pickups in good condition even after 20+ years of use—proper maintenance can add years to their service life, showing the policy is relatively flexible.
