What is the average lifespan of a passenger car?
2 Answers
For domestic 5-seat sedans and 7-seat SUVs, non-commercial small and mini vehicles have no usage lifespan limit. 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 cars, large non-commercial sedans, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no usage lifespan limit. Commercial vehicles have mandatory scrapping periods as follows: Small and mini taxi passenger vehicles: 8 years; Medium-sized taxi passenger vehicles: 10 years; Large taxi passenger vehicles: 12 years. Public transport passenger vehicles: 13 years; Other small and mini commercial passenger vehicles: 10 years; Large and medium-sized commercial passenger vehicles: 15 years. Mini commercial trucks: 8 years; Light and large commercial trucks: 10 years. The vehicle scrapping procedure is as follows: The vehicle owner should fill out an "Application Form for Vehicle Modification, Transfer, Alteration, Suspension, or Scrapping" and stamp it with their seal. The registration office will accept the application and issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" for vehicles that have reached the scrapping period. For vehicles that haven't reached the scrapping period but meet the scrapping standards after inspection, a "Vehicle Scrapping Notification" will be issued. The owner should choose a qualified recycling company to dismantle the vehicle with the "Notice". 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 chassis must be cut. The owner should submit the "Modification Form", "XX Province Vehicle Renewal Technical Appraisal Form", "Scrapped Vehicle Recycling Certificate", and dismantling photos to the vehicle inspection office for verification and signature. The license plates will be reclaimed, and the scrapping registration will be processed according to regulations. Special notes: According to Article 30 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", if the vehicle cannot be driven back to the registration location due to damage, the owner can sell the vehicle for scrapping to a local recycling company. Commercial vehicles converted to non-commercial use must still be scrapped according to their original commercial vehicle scrapping period. According to Article 43 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", after completing vehicle transfer or cancellation registration, the original owner can apply to use the original license plate number for a new vehicle registration. The application must meet the following conditions: (1) Filed within six months after transfer or cancellation; (2) The owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years.
I've been driving for almost twenty years, and when it comes to the lifespan of a car, I believe it depends on personal habits and maintenance. My first car was a Chevrolet, which stayed with me for 15 years and ran smoothly even after 250,000 kilometers, mainly because I checked the oil and tires every week and avoided sudden braking. Newer car designs are smarter, like the battery system being well-protected, which can last up to 20 years. But if you live in a snowy northern area, the chassis rusts faster, shortening the lifespan. Overall, with proper maintenance, 15 years is a reasonable goal. I recommend driving gently on long trips and not skimping on maintenance costs—this way, your car will stay with you longer.
