What is the age limit for scrapped used cars?

[BrodyLynn]

Under normal circumstances, there is no age limit for scrapping used cars, only a mileage limit. According to legal regulations, vehicles must be forcibly scrapped after traveling 600,000 kilometers. Therefore, as long as the mileage does not reach 600,000 kilometers, the vehicle can continue to be driven. Materials required for scrapping: "Motor Vehicle Registration, Transfer, Cancellation/Transfer Application Form", "Motor Vehicle Scrapping Approval Application Form", vehicle-related documents including the motor vehicle registration certificate, motor vehicle driving license, license plate, original and copy of the vehicle owner's ID card, vehicle scrapping recycling certificate, and "Scrapped Motor Vehicle Recycling Certificate". Reasons for vehicle scrapping: After a motor vehicle reaches the national scrapping standard in terms of mileage or age, its technical performance, economic efficiency, and exhaust emissions no longer meet requirements. Continued use poses significant safety hazards, environmental pollution, and sharply increased maintenance costs. Time required for vehicle scrapping: The scrapping process generally takes about 20 working days. During the process, the owner can apply to retain the license plate, provided that the vehicle has been owned for at least 3 years and has no outstanding violations or other issues.

[VonLucas]

I've been driving my old car for almost twenty years, and it's still running. The policy changed long ago, and regular household vehicles are no longer subject to mandatory scrapping—as long as they pass the annual inspection, they can keep running. However, after fifteen years, inspections are required every six months, which is quite a hassle. Once, I waited in line at the inspection station for a full three hours, only to fail the emissions test and have to go back for repairs. Nowadays, the main focus is on mileage—once a car hits 600,000 kilometers, it’s guided toward scrapping. For example, my neighbor Uncle Zhang’s Accord had over 300,000 kilometers on it, the engine had been repaired twice, and last year he finally traded it in. Even though there’s no age limit, older cars come with higher maintenance costs, making them less cost-effective, and insurance premiums also go up. Honestly, driving a car for about fifteen years seems like a fair deal.

[Carole]

In the used car market, we are most afraid of taking in vehicles over 15 years old, as they are difficult to sell even if they are in good condition. Currently, there is no mandatory retirement age for non-commercial passenger vehicles, but 15 years is a critical threshold—not only does the annual inspection frequency increase to twice a year, but it's also hard to meet emission standards. Last month, I handled a 2008 Passat with only 140,000 kilometers on it, but its China III emission rating made it ineligible for urban ring roads. Buyers would rather spend a bit more on a five-year-old China VI compliant vehicle. Honestly, for average household use, 15 years is about the limit. Beyond that, parts become hard to find, repair costs can exceed the car's value, and the risk of tire aging becomes significant.

[VanCaden]

People often ask how many years a car can last, but the key lies in maintenance. My old Jetta from the 1990s is still kept as a backup car, and it can still run after nearly 30 years. Current policies do not set a mandatory retirement age for private cars, only suggesting retirement when the mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers. However, older cars do have more issues: plastic parts become brittle and leak oil, wiring ages and causes short circuits, and they often fail emissions tests. A friend of mine had an old Crown that ran for 18 years, spent 12,000 yuan on a major transmission repair last year, and ultimately chose to scrap it for the subsidy. It's advisable to regularly replace wear-prone parts and not wait until the car's condition deteriorates completely.

[LaHarmony]

Nowadays, the scrapping of private cars is not based on a fixed number of years, but mainly on the mileage reaching 600,000 kilometers, which guides the scrapping. However, in reality, many people don't drive their cars for that long, and 15 years of age is the limit. Issues like body rust and aging rubber parts are particularly expensive to repair. Last year, I helped a colleague deal with an old Fukang, where the door hinges were rusted through, and the car failed the emissions test three times. With the rapid upgrades in vehicle emissions standards, a car that's ten years old might not even meet the National IV standard. Moreover, cars over 15 years old face a 20% increase in insurance premiums and require two trips to the inspection station for annual checks. It might be better to consider replacing the car after ten years of use.