How many years until a small car is mandatorily scrapped?
2 Answers
Small passenger vehicles must be mandatorily scrapped after reaching 600,000 kilometers of driving. Below is an introduction regarding scrapped vehicles: Introduction: A scrapped vehicle refers to one that has reached a certain service life, or has suffered severe damage or poor technical condition due to other reasons, cannot be repaired, has fuel consumption exceeding 50% of the national standard, and is mandatorily scrapped according to government regulations. Meaning: When a vehicle reaches a certain period of use, most components of its various systems have completed their service life, and maintenance and repairs can no longer ensure safe driving. It should be promptly scrapped and replaced. Age Regulation: According to a notice on the Ministry of Commerce website, the Ministry of Commerce, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Public Security, and Ministry of Environmental Protection jointly issued the 'Regulations on Mandatory Scrapping Standards for Motor Vehicles,' which was reviewed and approved at the 68th Ministry of Commerce meeting on August 24, 2012, and came into effect on May 1, 2013.
Many people ask this question, but in fact, there is no mandatory scrapping period for ordinary private cars in China. My car has been running for over a decade and is still usable—as long as it passes the annual inspection and emissions test on time, there’s no issue. However, one thing to note: after 15 years of vehicle age, the annual inspection frequency increases from once a year to twice; after 20 years, it becomes four times a year, which can indeed be a hassle. I’ve also seen data showing that some older vehicles failing to meet emissions standards, such as those below China III, may be restricted from driving in urban areas. My advice to car owners is not to panic—focus on maintaining the car well. Regularly changing the oil and checking the braking system can significantly extend its lifespan. A friend of mine has a small car nearly 20 years old that’s still highway-worthy thanks to good maintenance. Remember, safety comes first, and policies aren’t one-size-fits-all—don’t let them limit you.
