What is the Scrapping Period for Private Cars?
3 Answers
Private cars do not have a mandatory scrapping period. When the normal mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide the scrapping. The difference between guided scrapping and mandatory scrapping: Guided scrapping is a recommendation for scrapping, but if the vehicle still meets the requirements for continued use, it does not have to be scrapped. Mandatory scrapping means the vehicle must, without exception, be scrapped. There are four criteria for mandatory scrapping: reaching the stipulated service life; failing to meet the national safety technical standards for in-use vehicles even after repairs and adjustments; failing to meet national standards for pollutant emissions or noise from in-use vehicles even after repairs, adjustments, or control technology implementation; and failing to obtain the motor vehicle inspection qualification mark for three consecutive inspection cycles after the expiration of the inspection period. Motor vehicle scrapping process: The owner of the car applying for scrapping and renewal must fill out and submit one copy of the "Motor Vehicle Change, Transfer, Modification, Suspension, and Scrapping Approval Application Form," stamped with the owner's seal. Apply at the registration and acceptance counter. For vehicles that have reached the scrapping age, a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" will be issued. For vehicles that have not reached the scrapping age, after inspection and confirmation by the motor vehicle inspection counter 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 "Change 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 scrapping registration will be processed according to regulations after approval.
I used to think that private cars must be scrapped after 15 years, but after checking the policy, I found out that this is outdated. In fact, the mandatory scrapping age has long been abolished, and now it only depends on mileage or usage. As long as your car passes the annual inspection, theoretically, you can drive it for 20 years. My neighbor’s old Toyota is almost 18 years old and still running smoothly, passing the annual inspection every year. However, it’s important to note that 600,000 kilometers is a recommended scrapping standard, not a mandatory requirement. But if your car fails the annual inspection three times, exceeds emission standards, or has been involved in a major accident, mandatory scrapping is unavoidable. Safety always comes first, after all.
A few days ago, the mechanic at the repair shop was chatting with me about this. Private cars no longer have a mandatory scrapping age nowadays. As long as the vehicle is in good condition and passes the annual inspection, it can still be legally driven even if it's over 15 years old. However, with stricter environmental requirements now, especially in first-tier cities, older vehicles meeting National II or III emission standards may face driving restrictions due to non-compliance, effectively forcing early retirement. Several old Jetta owners in our neighborhood had to dispose of their cars because they couldn't enter urban areas. The commonly mentioned 600,000 kilometers is just a reference point – what really matters is whether maintenance costs remain economically viable.
