What is the normal scrapping period for vehicles?
2 Answers
Non-commercial vehicles and commercial vehicles have different scrapping periods, as detailed below: Scrapping regulations for non-commercial vehicles: For household 5-seat sedans 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-mentioned vehicles, small and micro non-commercial passenger vehicles, large non-commercial sedans, 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, 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 an "Application Form for Vehicle Modification, Transfer, Alteration, Suspension, or Scrapping" and affix 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 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 and certificates will be reclaimed, and the scrapping registration will be processed according to regulations. Special notes: According to Article 30 of the "Vehicle Registration Regulations", if a vehicle is damaged and cannot be driven back to the registration location, the owner can sell the scrapped vehicle to a local 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 "Vehicle Registration Regulations", after completing the transfer or cancellation of a vehicle's registration, 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 of registration; (2) The owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years.
Regarding the issue of vehicle scrapping age, the policies have actually changed quite a bit. I remember that non-commercial small vehicles used to have a mandatory scrapping age of 15 years, but the rules have been revised since 2013, eliminating the age limit and focusing more on mileage or vehicle condition. For example, non-commercial vehicles must be scrapped once they reach 600,000 kilometers, or if they fail to meet safety standards during annual inspections. This gives car owners more flexibility. For people like me who love driving, it emphasizes the importance of regular maintenance, such as checking tires, brakes, and the engine to ensure the car remains safe and reliable. Even if a car is old, as long as the mileage is low and the condition is good, it can still be used. However, commercial vehicles like taxis still face stricter standards, so it's advisable to stay updated with national regulations to avoid the risks of driving an overused vehicle. With proper maintenance, a car can last for over a decade or even two—the key is regular upkeep.
