What is the Scrap Period for Vehicles?
2 Answers
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 scrapping. In addition to the above vehicles, small and mini non-commercial passenger vehicles, large non-commercial sedans, and wheeled special-purpose 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 scrapping process is as follows: The vehicle owner applying for scrapping and renewal must fill out the "Motor Vehicle Change, Transfer, Modification, Suspension, Scrapping Approval Application Form" in duplicate 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 scrapping period. For vehicles that have not reached the scrapping period, after inspection and confirmation by the motor vehicle inspection office, if they meet the scrapping standards, a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" will be issued. 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 must submit the "Change Form", "XX Province Vehicle Renewal Technical Appraisal Form", "Scrapped Vehicle Recycling Certificate", and vehicle dismantling photos to the motor vehicle inspection office 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 a commercial vehicle is converted to a non-commercial vehicle, it must be scrapped according to the original commercial vehicle's scrapping period. According to Article 43 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", after completing the transfer registration or cancellation registration of a motor vehicle, the original vehicle owner can apply to the vehicle management office to use the original license plate number when registering a newly purchased motor 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 completing the transfer or cancellation registration; (2) The vehicle owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years.
The vehicle retirement policy in China is not a one-size-fits-all approach. For example, there is no mandatory retirement age for private passenger cars—they can continue to be driven as long as they pass annual inspections. However, if a vehicle fails inspection due to excessive emissions or poor condition, it must be scrapped. Commercial vehicles like taxis and trucks, however, have clear age limits. Taxis typically must be retired after about 8 years, while heavy-duty trucks may last around 15 years, depending on the model and usage intensity. I believe car owners should maintain their vehicles regularly and stay updated on evolving emission standards. For instance, my neighbor’s car has been running for over a decade thanks to diligent check-ups and repairs. It’s also wise to stay informed about local policies, such as restrictions on high-emission vehicles in certain cities, to avoid sudden disruptions to daily transportation.
