What are the scrapping standards for small cars?
4 Answers
Small motor vehicles have a service life of 15 years, but there is no mandatory scrapping. Relevant details are as follows: 1. Non-operational passenger vehicles with 9 seats or fewer have a service life of 15 years: If continued use is required after reaching the scrapping standard, no approval is needed. After passing inspection, the service life can be extended, with mandatory inspections twice a year. After 20 years, from the 21st year onward, inspections are required four times a year. 2. Tourist passenger vehicles and non-operational passenger vehicles with more than 9 seats have a service life of 10 years: If continued use is required after reaching the scrapping standard, the current procedures apply, but the extension cannot exceed 10 years. Tourist passenger vehicles with extended service life require inspections four times a year. Non-operational passenger vehicles with more than 9 seats and extended service life require inspections twice a year, increasing to four times a year from the 16th year onward if the vehicle is over 15 years old.
I've been driving compact cars for decades, and the scrapping standards mainly depend on several key points. The service life has a significant impact. Although there's no mandatory scrapping age for non-commercial small cars, vehicles over 15 years old generally suffer from severe aging and high component failure rates. Emission standards are crucial—older vehicles that fail to meet exhaust requirements will be rejected during annual inspections and prohibited from road use. Safety performance is vital; failing tests for issues like brake failure or unstable steering necessitates scrapping. High mileage is also a factor—after reaching 200,000 kilometers, repair costs skyrocket, and an engine overhaul might cost more than the car's value. I've seen many owners insist on driving old cars only to end up in accidents, which isn't worth it. Early scrapping can qualify for subsidies, benefiting both the environment and your wallet. In short, don't wait for your car to break down on the road—pay attention to annual inspection reports and act promptly.
From an environmental perspective, the scrapping standards for small vehicles are primarily emission-based. Older vehicles emit higher levels of carbon dioxide and fine particulate matter, contributing to air pollution. The government strictly monitors exhaust emissions during annual inspections. Although age and mileage are not mandatory criteria, vehicles over 10 years old or with high mileage often fail emission tests and are subject to mandatory scrapping. Current policies encourage phasing out highly polluting vehicles, with subsidy mechanisms supporting the switch to new energy vehicles to reduce carbon footprints. For example, cities like Beijing restrict the use of National I and National II vehicles to promote scrapping. I advocate for green transportation, believing this is essential for improving air quality and reducing resource waste. Vehicle owners should actively participate in the scrapping process to support environmental protection.
During workshop vehicle repairs, I found that common reasons for small car scrapping include failing safety inspections and potential safety hazards. For example, if the braking system malfunctions, lighting functions fail, or the chassis is deformed during the annual inspection, the vehicle will not pass. If repair costs are too high, such as engine replacement exceeding the car's value, scrapping becomes uneconomical. Damaged emission control components like catalytic converters also often lead to inspection failures. Overall vehicle condition assessment is crucial—don’t overlook minor issues accumulating into major problems. It’s recommended that owners perform regular maintenance, inspections, and upkeep to avoid developing serious hazards.
