What is the mandatory scrapping period for household cars?
2 Answers
Private cars do not have a fixed mandatory scrapping period. Mandatory scrapping means the vehicle must, without exception, be scrapped. There are four criteria for mandatory scrapping: 1. The vehicle has reached the prescribed service life. 2. After repair and adjustment, the vehicle still fails to meet the national safety technical standards for in-use vehicles. 3. After repair, adjustment, or the application of control technology, the vehicle's emissions or noise still fail to meet national standards for in-use vehicles. 4. The vehicle fails to obtain an inspection compliance mark for three consecutive inspection cycles after the inspection validity period expires. Vehicle scrapping process: 1. The vehicle owner must fill out and stamp the "Application Form for Vehicle Modification, Transfer, Alteration, Suspension, or Scrapping." 2. Submit the application at the registration counter. For vehicles that have reached the scrapping age, a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" will be issued. For vehicles not yet at the scrapping age, the inspection counter will assess and issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" if the vehicle meets the scrapping criteria. 3. The owner selects a qualified recycling company to dismantle the vehicle, presenting the "Notice." 4. The recycling company verifies the "Notice," dismantles the vehicle, and takes photos. The engine must be separated from the vehicle, the engine block destroyed, and the chassis cut. 5. The owner submits the "Modification Form," "Province-Specific Vehicle Technical Appraisal Form," "Scrapped Vehicle Recycling Certificate," and dismantling photos to the inspection counter for verification. The license plates are surrendered, and the scrapping registration is processed after approval.
Before buying a car, I specifically researched these regulations. For household cars like ordinary private vehicles, there is no mandatory retirement period, unlike the previous rumor of a direct 15-year retirement policy. The policy has changed now—it mainly depends on mileage and usage. If your car reaches around 600,000 kilometers, the government will guide you to retire it, but this isn’t mandatory. The key is still the annual inspection. If the car is in good condition and passes safety and emissions checks, you can drive it indefinitely without interference. I personally drive a 10-year-old car and regularly maintain the engine and brake system to extend its lifespan, saving a lot of money.
Let’s talk about daily maintenance: regular oil changes, checking tire pressure, or fixing unusual noises promptly—these small details can prevent premature retirement. When considering a new car, you might also look into energy-efficient models like newer hybrids or electric vehicles, which are more eco-friendly and fuel-efficient—a win-win. In short, drive with peace of mind—the focus is on keeping your car well-maintained.
