Is There a Mandatory Scrap Age for Vehicles?

[PhoebeDella]

Non-commercial vehicles and commercial vehicles have different scrap age requirements, as detailed below: Scrap Regulations for Non-commercial Vehicles: For household 5-seat cars and 7-seat SUVs, non-commercial small and mini vehicles have no usage age limit. When the normal mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide the vehicle to be scrapped. In addition to the above vehicles, small and mini non-commercial passenger cars, large non-commercial cars, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no usage age limit. Common Scrap Regulations for Commercial Vehicles: Small and mini taxi passenger cars have a scrap age of 8 years, medium-sized taxi passenger cars have a scrap age of 10 years, and large taxi passenger cars have a scrap age of 12 years. Public transport passenger cars have a scrap age of 13 years, other small and mini commercial passenger cars have a scrap age of 10 years, and large and medium-sized commercial passenger cars have a scrap age of 15 years. Mini commercial trucks have a scrap age of 8 years, light and large commercial trucks have a scrap age of 10 years. The vehicle scrap process is as follows: The vehicle owner applying for scrap renewal should fill out the "Application Form for Vehicle Change, Transfer, Modification, Suspension, or Scrap Approval" and stamp the owner's seal. The registration office will accept the application and issue a "Vehicle Scrap Notice" for vehicles that have reached the scrap age. For vehicles that have not reached the scrap age, after inspection by the vehicle inspection office and confirmation that they meet the scrap standards, a "Vehicle Scrap Notice" will be issued. 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 should submit the "Change Form", "XX Province Vehicle Renewal Technical Appraisal Form", "Scrap Vehicle Recycling Certificate", and vehicle dismantling photos to the vehicle inspection office for verification and signature. The license plates will be reclaimed, and the scrap registration will be processed according to regulations. 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 sell the scrap vehicle to a local recycling company. If a commercial vehicle is converted to a non-commercial vehicle, it must be scrapped according to the original commercial vehicle's scrap age. 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 when registering a new vehicle. The application must meet the following conditions: (1) The application must be submitted within six months after the transfer or cancellation; (2) The owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years.

[KevinFitz]

As a car enthusiast who has driven several used cars, I need to clarify the mandatory scrapping policy. In the past, there were indeed regulations, such as commercial vehicles like taxis being scrapped after 15 years. However, private cars now basically have no fixed scrapping limit. After the policy change, the key factor is whether the vehicle passes the annual inspection—if it does, the car can be driven indefinitely without an upper limit. My old car is 14 years old, and with proper maintenance, the engine still runs well. Spending a bit on parts replacement each year helps avoid major repairs. This policy change is really cost-effective, as it eliminates the need to replace the car prematurely. However, older cars require diligent maintenance—regular oil changes, brake adjustments—otherwise, breakdowns can be troublesome. Overall, the policy benefits car owners but demands responsibility. Don’t just drive; make regular trips to the repair shop to check emissions and lighting issues.

[SanHarrison]

I've helped many customers at the auto shop deal with old cars, and the topic of mandatory scrapping age comes up often. For regular private vehicles, the government has now eliminated fixed scrapping years, but commercial vehicles still have regulations—for example, buses must be scrapped after 15 years. In practice, it all depends on the annual inspections; only if the car's engine or brake system fails the test does it need to be dealt with. I've seen some cars still running strong after 20+ years—the key is keeping up with regular maintenance, like changing the oil every season and checking the electrical system. I advise car owners to develop good habits and not wait for problems to arise before fixing them, as this can save a lot of money. The flexible policy benefits everyone, but don’t mistake the lack of a fixed scrapping age as a free pass to drive recklessly.

[LaJace]

I also asked this question when I just got my driver's license. Now I understand that private cars don't have a mandatory scrapping age limit—as long as they pass the annual inspection, they can keep running. After the government abolished the old policy, it became more flexible. I plan to drive my first car for ten years before replacing it. The annual inspection is the key factor; if it fails emissions or safety tests, then scrapping is required. But normally, just washing the car and refueling is enough. This policy saves money and is environmentally friendly, encouraging people to make good use of old cars instead of discarding them as scrap. Researching brand durability before buying a car is also important.