Is there a scrap age limit for private cars?
2 Answers
Private passenger cars do not have a scrap age limit. For household 5-seat sedans and 7-seat SUVs, as well as non-commercial small and mini vehicles, there is no usage period restriction. When the normal mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide the vehicle to be scrapped. In addition to the above-mentioned vehicles, small and mini non-commercial passenger vehicles, large non-commercial sedans, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no usage period restrictions. Motor vehicle scrapping process: 1. The car owner applying for scrapping and renewal should fill out and submit one copy of the "Motor Vehicle Alteration, Transfer, Modification, Suspension, and Scrapping Approval Application Form" with the owner's seal affixed. 2. Apply at the registration acceptance counter. For vehicles that have reached the scrap age, a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" will be issued. For vehicles that have not reached the scrap age, after inspection and confirmation by the motor vehicle inspection counter that they meet the scrapping standards, a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" will be issued. 3. The vehicle owner can choose a qualified recycling company to dismantle the vehicle with the "Notice". 4. 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. 5. The vehicle owner should submit the "Alteration Form", "XX Province Vehicle Renewal Technical Appraisal Form", "Scrapped Vehicle Recycling Certificate", and photos of the dismantled vehicle to the motor vehicle inspection counter for verification and signature. The license plates and certificates will be reclaimed, and the scrapping registration will be processed after approval according to regulations.
As a long-time car owner, I remember there used to be rumors that private cars would be forcibly scrapped after 15 years, but that was an old policy for commercial vehicles. In fact, there is no clear scrapping age limit for private cars now. As long as you maintain them properly, a car can last over 20 years. The key is passing the annual inspection, which checks emissions, brakes, and other safety items. If the car reaches around 600,000 kilometers or fails the annual inspection, it will be guided to be scrapped, rather than being forced by a fixed time limit. My personal experience is that keeping a car longer saves money—my over-ten-year-old car is still running well, and the secret is regular maintenance without skipping. If the car is in good condition, there's no need to worry about scrapping. Paying attention to details like tire changes and oil filters can easily extend its lifespan—don't be fooled by rumors.
