
Non-commercial vehicles and commercial vehicles have different scrap periods, as detailed below: Scrap Regulations for Non-commercial Vehicles: For household 5-seat sedans and 7-seat SUVs, as well as non-commercial small and mini vehicles, there is no usage period limit. When the normal mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide the vehicle to be scrapped. 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 period limit. Common Scrap Regulations for Commercial Vehicles: Small and mini taxi passenger vehicles have a scrap period of 8 years, medium-sized taxi passenger vehicles have a scrap period of 10 years, and large taxi passenger vehicles have a scrap period of 12 years. Public transport passenger vehicles have a scrap period of 13 years, other small and mini commercial passenger vehicles have a scrap period of 10 years, and large and medium-sized commercial passenger vehicles have a scrap period of 15 years. Mini commercial trucks have a scrap period of 8 years, light and large commercial trucks have a scrap period of 10 years. The vehicle scrap process is as follows: The vehicle owner applying for scrap renewal must fill out an "Application Form for Vehicle Modification, Transfer, Alteration, Suspension, or Scrapping" and affix the owner's seal. The registration office will accept the application and issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" for vehicles that have reached the scrap period. For vehicles that have not reached the scrap period, the vehicle inspection office will determine if they meet the scrapping standards and issue a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice". The 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 owner must submit the "Modification Form", "XX Province Vehicle Renewal Technical Inspection 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 scrap registration will be processed according to regulations. Special Notes: According to Article 30 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", if a vehicle cannot be driven back to the place of registration due to damage, the owner can submit the vehicle for scrapping 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 scrap period. 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 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 often talk about this when helping friends with car repairs. The vehicle scrapping period is usually 15 years, which is a mandatory standard set by the state, mainly for safety reasons. Parts of old cars age quickly, making them prone to accidents. My neighbor's car was 14 years old last year and failed the annual inspection. The inspector said the emissions exceeded the standard and found several parts that needed replacement. The cost of repairs was even higher than buying a new car, so it was sent for scrapping. Well-maintained cars can last a year or two longer, but failing to comply with regulations and getting fined would be a bigger loss. The key factor is the intensity of use. Cars driven frequently on highways might need to be scrapped in as little as ten years, so it's advisable to get regular inspections and not delay them.

My used sedan was driven for 15 years before being sent for scrapping, and the process was quite straightforward. Initially, I thought it could last a few more years, but the year-end inspection revealed oil leaks and exhaust issues on the dashboard. The technician directly advised that repairs wouldn't be cost-effective and suggested getting a new one instead. Nowadays, scrapping is pretty much mandatory at the 15-year mark, though I've heard some remote areas might be a bit more lenient. Still, it's not worth taking risks in formal settings. Finding parts for older vehicles becomes difficult, and after calculating the maintenance costs, I realized planning ahead for a replacement is more economical. Even if the mileage hits 600,000 kilometers, scrapping should be considered—don't just focus on the age.

Vehicle scrapping isn't solely based on the 15-year age limit; mileage of 600,000 kilometers is also a factor. Since I drive less frequently and maintain my car well, it might last up to 17 years. However, for vehicles in poor condition with heavy usage, they may need scrapping in under ten years. Regular oil changes and brake inspections help prevent minor issues from becoming major expenses. Recycling materials from scrapped vehicles benefits the environment, and newer car technologies offer improved safety. It's all about finding the right balance.


