What is the Scrap Period for Passenger Cars?

[MacKingston]

For household 5-seat sedans and 7-seat SUVs, non-commercial small and mini vehicles have no usage period limit. When the normal mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide them to be scrapped. In addition to the above vehicles, small and mini non-commercial passenger cars, large non-commercial cars, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no usage period limit. Commercial vehicles have scrap period limits, as follows: Small and mini taxi passenger cars have a scrap period of 8 years, medium-sized taxi passenger cars have a scrap period of 10 years, and large taxi passenger cars have a scrap period of 12 years. Public transport passenger cars have a scrap period of 13 years, other small and mini commercial passenger cars have a scrap period of 10 years, and large and medium-sized commercial passenger cars 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 scrapping process is as follows: The car owner applying for scrapping and renewal must fill out an "Application Form for Vehicle Modification, Transfer, Alteration, Suspension, or Scrapping" and stamp 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, after inspection and confirmation by the vehicle inspection office that they meet the scrapping standards, a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" will be issued. 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 Appraisal 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 application will be submitted for approval according to regulations to complete the scrapping registration. Special Notes: According to Article 30 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", if the vehicle is damaged and cannot be driven back to the registration location, the owner can sell the scrapped vehicle to a local motor vehicle recycling company. Commercial vehicles converted to non-commercial use 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 motor vehicle 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 to use the original license plate number 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.

[AidenFitz]

I remember the old days when the mandatory scrapping period for cars was said to be 15 years, but now the policy has long been adjusted. The government has abolished the fixed term, and for us private car owners, the key factors are the vehicle's condition and mileage. If it exceeds 600,000 kilometers, it must be scrapped, which I pay special attention to during regular annual inspections. My old Bora has been running for over 15 years and is still going strong, mainly thanks to timely maintenance, such as annual checks on the brakes and engine, ensuring it passes the annual inspection in one go. If the vehicle's condition is poor and it fails the annual inspection three times, it will be scrapped. This change is quite humane, allowing us to use our cars with peace of mind as long as we don’t exceed the mileage limit, but we still need to plan ahead for a replacement.

[VincentAnn]

We usually don't pay much attention to the age limit when driving. The retirement period is no longer fixed by years but by mileage—once it reaches 600,000 kilometers, it's time to retire the car. I drive a compact car daily for commuting, covering over 20,000 kilometers a year, which means it would take more than 20 years to exceed the limit. The key is not to slack on regular maintenance: change the engine oil when needed, address tire wear promptly, and avoid sudden retirement due to failed inspections. Safety comes first—don't push an old car too hard. Check the vehicle's condition before hitting the highway for peace of mind.

[SanConnor]

My family car doesn't have a fixed retirement age, as national regulations mainly rely on annual inspections to ensure safety. For older vehicles, they need to be inspected once a year, and if they fail, they shouldn't be driven anymore. My little Focus, for example, has been running smoothly for 12 years, all thanks to simple quarterly maintenance like cleaning filters and checking lights. Driving over 600,000 kilometers is a strict limit, so keep an eye on the odometer. Don't wait for an accident to regret it—if the car's condition is poor, deal with it promptly. Safety comes first.

[DiHadley]

The scrapping period for small cars is no longer strictly limited to 15 years, now mileage is the main criterion—with a cap of 600,000 kilometers. I use it frequently for business trips, clocking 50,000 kilometers a year, so it’ll reach the limit in about a decade. Regular maintenance is key—replacing the cabin air filter, lubricating the chain, etc.—to extend its lifespan and save money. Annual inspections have become stricter, but as long as it passes, it’s fine. Don’t overlook daily upkeep; always check the entire car before long trips to avoid unexpected scrapping delays.

[AidenLynn]

There is no strict mandatory retirement age for passenger cars, with the current upper limit set at 600,000 kilometers, subject to annual inspection results. My compact car has been running smoothly for 18 years, thanks to diligent maintenance: regular tire changes, brake adjustments, and comprehensive pre-inspection checks. The policy has become more flexible, encouraging the continued use of well-maintained older vehicles, but it's important to avoid exceeding mileage risks. Stay proactive in monitoring vehicle condition changes, and consider timely replacement for better economic and safety outcomes.