What is the mandatory vehicle scrapping period?
3 Answers
Non-commercial vehicles and commercial vehicles have different scrapping periods, as detailed below: Scrapping regulations for non-commercial vehicles: For household 5-seat cars and 7-seat SUVs, as well as small and micro non-commercial vehicles, there is no usage period limit. When the normal mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide the scrapping process. In addition to the above vehicles, small and micro non-commercial passenger vehicles, large non-commercial cars, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no usage period limit. Common scrapping regulations for commercial vehicles: Small and micro taxi passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 8 years, medium-sized taxi passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 10 years, and large taxi passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 12 years. Public transport passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 13 years, other small and micro commercial passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 10 years, and large and medium-sized commercial passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 15 years. Micro commercial trucks have a scrapping period of 8 years, while light and large commercial trucks have a scrapping period of 10 years. The vehicle scrapping process is as follows: The owner of the vehicle applying for scrapping and renewal must fill out the "Application Form for Vehicle Modification, Transfer, Alteration, Suspension, or Scrapping" and stamp it with the owner's 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 have not reached the scrapping period, the vehicle inspection office will determine if they meet the scrapping standards and issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" if applicable. The vehicle owner can 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 frame (chassis) must be cut. The vehicle owner must submit the "Modification Form", "XX Province Vehicle Renewal Technical Appraisal Form", "Scrapped Vehicle Recycling Certificate", and photos of the dismantled vehicle to the vehicle inspection office for verification and signature. The license plates will be reclaimed, and the application will be submitted for approval according to regulations to complete the scrapping registration. Special notes: According to Article 30 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", if a vehicle is damaged and cannot be driven back to the registration location, the owner can hand over the scrapped vehicle to a local motor vehicle recycling company. If a commercial vehicle is converted to a non-commercial vehicle, it must be scrapped according to the original commercial vehicle's scrapping period. According to Article 43 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", after completing the transfer or cancellation of a motor vehicle, the original owner can apply to use the original license plate number when registering a newly purchased vehicle. The application must meet the following conditions: (1) The application must be submitted within six months after the transfer or cancellation; (2) The owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years.
I've been driving for decades, and the topic of mandatory vehicle retirement has changed significantly. In earlier years, there was indeed a regulation that private cars must be scrapped after 15 years of use, but that policy was abolished in 2013. Nowadays, there's no fixed mandatory retirement age for private cars—they can continue to be used as long as they pass the annual inspection. Vehicles over 10 years old require an annual inspection, while those over 15 years need to be inspected every six months. If a vehicle fails the inspection, such as due to excessive emissions or damaged safety components, it must be scrapped. As for commercial vehicles like taxis and trucks, there are still age restrictions; taxis are generally retired after 8 years, and trucks have different retirement ages depending on their use. I recommend regular maintenance, checking key parts like brakes, lights, and tires, to keep the car running safely for more years. Older cars may have higher maintenance costs, but a well-maintained vehicle can last 20 years without issues—passing the annual inspection is the key hurdle. Don't ignore minor issues while driving; timely repairs can extend the vehicle's lifespan.
When it comes to mandatory vehicle scrapping, I've noticed many new car owners are concerned about this. Private cars no longer have a fixed scrapping age limit—my compact car has been running fine for 12 years. The key lies in annual inspections: vehicles over 10 years old require yearly checks, while those over 15 need to report to the DMV every six months. Mandatory scrapping only applies if the inspection fails, such as due to excessive emissions or faulty lighting. Commercial vehicles are different—taxis must be scrapped within 8 years, while trucks have varying deadlines based on model. For daily use, I recommend proactive maintenance of the engine and drivetrain rather than waiting for age-related issues. While repairing old cars may cost more than buying new, choosing quality parts can extend longevity economically. Safety first: always check brake pad wear when driving older vehicles.
