What is the Scrap Life of Passenger Vehicles?
3 Answers
Non-commercial passenger vehicles with 9 seats or fewer (including sedans and SUVs) have a scrap life of 15 years. Tourist passenger vehicles and non-commercial passenger vehicles with more than 9 seats have a scrap life of 10 years. Commercial large passenger buses have a scrap life of 10 years. Vehicle scrapping process: The vehicle owner applying for scrapping and renewal must fill out the "Motor Vehicle Modification, Transfer, Alteration, Suspension, or Scrapping Approval Application Form" in duplicate and affix the owner's seal. Apply at the registration acceptance counter. For vehicles that have reached the scrap life, a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" will be issued. For vehicles that have not reached the scrap life but are deemed to meet the scrapping standards after inspection by the motor vehicle inspection counter, a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" will be issued. The vehicle owner can choose a qualified recycling company to dismantle the vehicle by presenting the "Notice". After verifying the "Notice", the recycling company will dismantle the vehicle and take photos. 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 motor vehicle inspection counter for verification and signature. The license plates will be reclaimed, and the case will be submitted for approval according to regulations to complete the scrapping registration.
In my experience driving long-distance, the mandatory scrapping period for passenger vehicles like taxis is 8 years because they run daily in the city, suffering severe wear and tear. The engine and brakes age quickly, increasing the risk of accidents. For medium and large passenger vehicles such as tour buses or intercity coaches, the regulation is 15 years, but the vehicle management office conducts extremely strict inspections, requiring annual safety tests. If emissions exceed standards or the body shows severe rust, failing the annual inspection means early retirement. Older vehicles incur high maintenance costs, and replacing parts becomes troublesome, so fleet owners often replace them around 10 years for reliability and safety. I once drove a 15-year-old bus and felt the suspension was loose, with noticeable instability when turning in the rain—safety is the top priority. The scrapping period isn’t an absolute rule; the key factor is the vehicle’s condition. Proper maintenance can extend its lifespan, but it should never exceed the legal limit to avoid risks.
China's traffic regulations clearly categorize the scrapping standards for passenger vehicles. Small commercial vehicles like taxis have a mandatory retirement age of 8 years, while large buses such as long-distance coaches are set at 15 years. However, these represent the upper limits; vehicles must undergo inspections every six months or annually, covering items like braking performance, exhaust emissions, and safety structures. For instance, if a vehicle fails to meet China VI emission standards or has damaged safety components, it will be immediately scrapped. Policies are also promoting new energy vehicles, accelerating the phase-out of old fuel-powered cars. From a passenger safety perspective, older vehicles are more prone to accidents, especially on mountain roads or during sudden braking. As someone who follows this issue, I know some fleets use high-mileage old vehicles to save costs, but this poses significant risks. Therefore, regulations act as a safety net, and consulting the official manual is the most reliable way to determine specific retirement ages.
