What is the age limit for scrapped used cars?
2 Answers
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.
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.
