Is There a Scrap Period for Sedans?
4 Answers
Small private cars have no usage period limit, but they will be guided to scrap after traveling 600,000 kilometers. Here is some information about vehicle scrapping: 1. Legal provisions: According to the "Mandatory Scrapping Standards for Motor Vehicles", small private cars have no usage period limit, but they will be guided to scrap after traveling 600,000 kilometers, though not mandatory. 2. Scrapping conditions: In actual use, these older cars face many inconveniences, with the biggest obstacles being the safety inspection and emission testing, commonly known as annual inspection and emission. According to regulations, vehicles that fail the annual inspection are prohibited from being driven on the road, and vehicles that fail the annual inspection three times in a row will be forcibly scrapped.
I remember there was indeed a mandatory scrappage policy for vehicles over 15 years old before, but it has basically been abolished now. After 2013, private cars in China were shifted to a guided scrappage system, where the main criterion is mileage exceeding 600,000 kilometers before recommending scrappage. However, it's not just about mileage; annual inspections are also mandatory. Every year, the vehicle must undergo an inspection at a testing station, and if the car is over 15 years old, inspections are required every six months. As long as the emissions meet standards and the safety performance passes, the car can continue to be driven. But last time I took my dad's old car for inspection, it was quite a hassle—the chassis was rusted through, costing thousands to repair, and it feels like it's barely holding on. Honestly, just like people, cars develop more issues as they age. Things like brake line aging and oil leaks need attention.
With 18 years of driving experience, I can confirm there's no mandatory scrapping age now. My 2004 Passat has clocked nearly 400,000 km and still passes annual inspections. The real challenge is passing emissions tests - that's the killer. This year during inspection, the garage said the catalytic converter was failing; a replacement costs over 3,000 yuan. Faded paint doesn't matter, but dim headlights will get you rejected immediately. A reminder to focus on emission system maintenance, especially for older National II/III standard vehicles that are struggling more. If repairs aren't feasible, don't force it - the government offers several thousand yuan in early retirement subsidies.
The government has long abolished mandatory vehicle scrapping policies, but keeping old cars roadworthy remains challenging. My 2006 Focus failed the annual inspection three times last year, primarily due to chassis corrosion. The mechanic explained that electrical system degradation is extremely common in decade-old vehicles, where minor oversights could lead to short circuits or spontaneous combustion. Brake system deterioration is another concern - I nearly rear-ended another car during rainy conditions once. Sincere advice for vintage car owners: inspect chassis fuel lines every 5,000km, replace all rubber components every five years, and restore yellowed headlight covers promptly.
