Is there a mandatory retirement age for vehicles now?
3 Answers
Non-commercial vehicles and commercial vehicles have different retirement age regulations, as detailed below: Retirement regulations for non-commercial vehicles: For household 5-seat sedans and 7-seat SUVs, as well as small and micro non-commercial vehicles, there is no mandatory retirement age. However, when the mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the government will recommend retirement. In addition to the above-mentioned vehicles, small and micro non-commercial passenger vehicles, large non-commercial sedans, and wheeled special-purpose machinery vehicles also have no usage time limit. Common retirement regulations for commercial vehicles: Small and micro taxi passenger vehicles have a retirement age of 8 years, medium-sized taxi passenger vehicles 10 years, and large taxi passenger vehicles 12 years. Public transport passenger vehicles have a retirement age of 13 years, other small and micro commercial passenger vehicles 10 years, and large and medium commercial passenger vehicles 15 years. Micro commercial trucks have a retirement age of 8 years, light and large commercial trucks 10 years. The vehicle retirement process is as follows: The vehicle owner applying for retirement renewal must fill out and stamp a "Motor Vehicle Change, Transfer, Modification, Suspension, Retirement Application Form". The registration office will accept the application and issue a "Vehicle Retirement Notice" for vehicles that have reached the retirement age. For vehicles that have not reached the retirement age but meet the retirement standards after inspection, a "Vehicle Retirement Notice" will be issued. The vehicle owner can then 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 chassis must be cut. The vehicle owner must then submit the "Change Form", "XX Province Vehicle Renewal Technical Appraisal Form", "Retired Vehicle Recycling Certificate", and dismantling photos to the inspection office for verification and signature. The license plates will be reclaimed, and the retirement registration will be processed after approval. Special notes: According to Article 30 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", if the vehicle cannot be driven back to the registration location due to damage, the owner can submit the vehicle for retirement to a local recycling company. If a commercial vehicle is converted to non-commercial use, it must still be retired according to the original commercial vehicle retirement time. According to Article 43 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", after completing the transfer or cancellation of a motor vehicle, the original owner can apply to use the original license plate number for a new vehicle registration. The application must meet the following conditions: (1) submitted within six months after the transfer or cancellation; (2) the owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years.
I just bought a car recently and have researched this issue. Currently, private cars no longer have a mandatory scrappage period, unlike the previous hard rule of 15 years. It mainly depends on mileage and emission standards. For example, vehicles exceeding 600,000 kilometers must be scrapped, or if they fail to meet emission standards during annual inspections. My neighbor has an old car that’s been running for over a decade. It’s a bit of a hassle to pass the biannual inspections, but it’s still roadworthy. However, maintenance costs for older cars can skyrocket—replacing parts might cost more than a new car. It’s advisable to dispose of it early to save both hassle and money. Safety comes first—don’t wait until problems arise to regret it.
As a seasoned driver who keeps a close eye on automotive policies, I must say the vehicle scrappage policy has become much more lenient. Previously, it was a one-size-fits-all approach based solely on vehicle age, but now it considers mileage and overall condition. If a car fails its annual inspection or exceeds the mileage limit, it will be mandatorily scrapped. This policy change is a positive move, as it encourages owners to maintain their vehicles better. For instance, having driven for over 20 years, I know older cars are more prone to accidents—faulty brakes or lighting pose significant risks. Regular check-ups can help avoid the hassle of forced scrappage, making it both eco-friendly and safer.
