How Many Years Until a Van is Scrapped?
4 Answers
Light-duty vans have a scrappage period of 10 years, which can be extended. However, they will be mandatorily scrapped after traveling 600,000 kilometers. China's traffic regulations have abolished the scrappage period limit for passenger cars, but similar to non-commercial private vehicles, after 15 years, they must undergo inspection at the vehicle management office every 6 months. Below is additional information: Relevant regulations: Article 5 of the "Mandatory Scrappage Standards for Motor Vehicles" specifies the usage periods for various types of motor vehicles as follows: Small and micro rental passenger vehicles are used for 8 years, medium rental passenger vehicles for 10 years, and large rental passenger vehicles for 12 years; rental passenger vehicles are used for 15 years; small training passenger vehicles are used for 10 years, medium training passenger vehicles for 12 years, and large training passenger vehicles for 15 years; public transport passenger vehicles are used for 13 years.
Over the years of driving a box truck, I've learned that the mandatory scrapping age is 15 years in China, mainly for commercial vehicles. By the 13th year, my truck started showing various minor issues like increased engine noise and faster brake pad wear, requiring extra maintenance costs each time. Beyond this age, not only do repair costs rise significantly, but safety risks also increase dramatically—any accident could be disastrous. Therefore, it's best for owners to regularly check their vehicle's condition, such as keeping the mileage under 600,000 kilometers, and maintaining the engine and transmission well. While this can extend the vehicle's lifespan slightly, it will ultimately need to be scrapped at 15 years.
Having studied automotive policies, the scrapping standard for vans is typically set at 15 years, calculated from the date of registration. This is based on safety considerations, as older vehicle components are prone to aging and failure, such as steering system or brake malfunctions. Additionally, there is a mileage limit of 600,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. The decline in vehicle performance has a significant impact, so it is recommended that owners keep maintenance logs and plan for vehicle replacement early, which is more cost-effective.
From an economic perspective, the 15-year scrapping policy for vans is quite reasonable. Younger vehicles are fuel-efficient and high-performing, but as they age, fuel consumption surges and maintenance costs rise. Based on my experience, maintenance expenses double after 12 years. This policy is designed to help owners save costs while also providing subsidies for trading in old vehicles for new ones. Considering mileage as a factor, the threshold is set at 600,000 kilometers—beyond that point, it becomes uneconomical.
