What is the Scrap Life of a Sedan?
3 Answers
For household 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 for scrapping. In addition to the above vehicles, small and mini non-commercial passenger vehicles, large non-commercial sedans, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no usage lifespan limit. Commercial vehicles have scrap life limits as follows: Small and mini taxi passenger vehicles have a scrap life of 8 years, medium taxi passenger vehicles 10 years, and large taxi passenger vehicles 12 years. Bus passenger vehicles have a scrap life of 13 years, other small and mini commercial passenger vehicles 10 years, and large and medium commercial passenger vehicles 15 years. Mini commercial trucks have a scrap life of 8 years, light and large commercial trucks 10 years. The vehicle scrapping process is as follows: The car owner applying for scrapping and renewal should fill out the "Motor Vehicle Change, Transfer, Modification, Suspension, Scrapping Approval Application Form" in duplicate and stamp the owner's seal. The registration desk accepts the application and issues a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" for vehicles that have reached the scrap life. For vehicles that have not reached the scrap life, after inspection and confirmation that they meet the scrapping standards, a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" is issued. The owner chooses a qualified recycling company to dismantle the vehicle with the "Notice". The recycling company dismantles the vehicle and takes photos after verifying the "Notice". The engine must be separated from the vehicle, the engine block broken, and the frame (chassis) cut. The owner submits the "Change Form", "XX Province Renewal Vehicle Technical Appraisal Form", "Scrapped Vehicle Recycling Certificate", and vehicle dismantling photos to the inspection desk for verification and signature. The license plates are reclaimed, and the scrapping registration is processed after approval. 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 deliver the scrapped vehicle to a local recycling company. Commercial vehicles converted to non-commercial use must be scrapped according to the original commercial vehicle's scrap life. According to Article 43 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", after completing the transfer or cancellation of motor vehicle 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) submitted within six months after transfer or cancellation; (2) the owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years.
I remember the topic of car scrappage used to always mention 15 years, but that's already old news. Since 2013, China has abolished the mandatory scrappage period for private cars, and now it mainly depends on whether your car can pass the annual inspection. The focus is on environmental and safety tests, such as excessive exhaust emissions or problems with the braking system, which can easily lead to a scrappage request. Some of my friends' cars have been running for over 20 years—as long as they are well maintained and regularly serviced, they can keep going. However, policies vary slightly by region, with some cities imposing more restrictions on older vehicles, so it's best to check the local vehicle management regulations. Honestly, this is quite humane, allowing good cars to be used for more years and reducing waste. As a car owner, I believe regular inspections are key—don't wait until major problems arise to panic.
From my understanding, the scrapping of sedans isn't solely based on age anymore, with greater emphasis now placed on vehicle safety conditions. Policy-wise, there's no fixed age limit, but if a car fails safety inspections due to issues like severely worn tires or steering system failures, it may be mandatorily scrapped. I've also noticed that many accidents are caused by older vehicles, such as those with brake failures. I recommend that owners thoroughly inspect key components every seven to eight years—don't skimp on small expenses only to invite big troubles. Additionally, high-mileage cars are more prone to problems. Officially, there's a suggested scrapping standard around 600,000 kilometers, but it's not a strict rule. My advice is to pay attention to any unusual noises while driving—early maintenance can extend your car's lifespan and save you money.
