What is the Scrap Age for Company-Owned Vehicles?
3 Answers
Non-operational vehicles and operational vehicles have different scrap age regulations, as detailed below: Scrap regulations for non-operational vehicles: For 5-seat family cars and 7-seat SUVs, as well as non-operational small and mini vehicles, there is no usage age limit. However, when the 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-operational passenger vehicles, large non-operational cars, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no usage age limit. Common scrap regulations for operational vehicles: Small and mini taxi passenger vehicles have a scrap age of 8 years, medium-sized taxi passenger vehicles have a scrap age of 10 years, and large taxi passenger vehicles have a scrap age of 12 years. Public transport passenger vehicles have a scrap age of 13 years, other small and mini operational passenger vehicles have a scrap age of 10 years, and large and medium-sized operational passenger vehicles have a scrap age of 15 years. Mini operational trucks have a scrap age of 8 years, light and large operational trucks have a scrap age of 10 years. The vehicle scrapping process is as follows: The vehicle owner applying for scrapping and renewal should fill out the "Motor Vehicle Change, Transfer, Modification, Suspension, and Scrapping Approval Application Form" and stamp the owner's seal. The registration department will accept the application and issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" for vehicles that have reached the scrap age. For vehicles that have not reached the scrap age, the motor vehicle inspection department will determine whether they meet the scrapping standards and issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" if they do. 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 should submit the "Change Form", "XX Province Vehicle Renewal Technical Appraisal Form", "Scrapped Vehicle Recycling Certificate", and vehicle dismantling photos to the motor vehicle inspection department 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 vehicle owner can sell the scrapped vehicle to a local motor vehicle recycling company. If an operational vehicle is converted to a non-operational vehicle, it must be scrapped according to the original operational vehicle's scrap age. According to Article 43 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", after completing the transfer or cancellation of a motor vehicle's registration, the original owner can apply to the vehicle management office to use the original license plate number for 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 public service vehicles for over twenty years and am very familiar with the scrapping timelines for commercial vehicles. Generally speaking, taxis are typically scrapped after about 10 years, which is the approximate standard set by national regulations, especially when they exceed 600,000 kilometers. I've seen many company vehicles, such as buses, which may have longer service lives, ranging from 15 to 20 years, but this depends on local policies and the vehicle's condition. Nowadays, the management of commercial vehicles is becoming increasingly standardized, primarily to ensure driving safety and prevent breakdowns in older vehicles. I once drove an old taxi that reached its scrapping date—its poor condition made maintenance costly, and replacing it early was actually more convenient. Also, before scrapping, it's best to check the engine and major components to avoid unexpected accidents, especially since public vehicles are driven frequently and safety is paramount. I advise fellow drivers to stay updated with the latest notices from local transportation authorities, as some cities might phase out vehicles earlier to promote eco-friendly alternatives like new energy vehicles.
As a driver who has operated company-owned vehicles for several years, I'd say vehicle scrapping is actually quite common. In our industry, the retirement age for taxis is just over 10 years - my colleague's car got replaced right at the 10-year mark. For company vehicles, especially taxis that carry heavy passenger loads daily with rapid part wear, scheduled retirement makes perfect sense. Buses might last longer, maybe 15 to 18 years? Recently I've heard discussions about evolving regulations with stricter environmental standards forcing many older vehicles into early retirement. The paperwork after scrapping can be tedious, but switching to new energy vehicles does save on fuel costs. Driving company vehicles is demanding, but proper maintenance like regular servicing and part replacements can extend their lifespan. Just a reminder to prepare before the retirement deadline to avoid disrupting work schedules.
