What is the service life limit for small cars before scrapping?
2 Answers
Automobiles are divided into two categories: private cars and commercial vehicles. The scrapping regulations for these two types of vehicles are as follows: Private car scrapping regulations: For 5-seat family sedans and 7-seat SUVs, non-commercial small and mini vehicles have no service life limit. When the normal mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide the scrapping process. In addition to the above vehicles, small and mini non-commercial passenger cars, large non-commercial sedans, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no service life restrictions. Common commercial vehicle scrapping regulations: Small and mini taxi passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 8 years, medium-sized taxi passenger vehicles 10 years, and large taxi passenger vehicles 12 years. Public transport passenger vehicles have a scrapping period of 13 years, other small and mini commercial passenger vehicles 10 years, and large and medium-sized commercial passenger vehicles 15 years. Mini commercial trucks have a scrapping period of 8 years, while light and large commercial trucks have a scrapping period of 10 years.
In China, there is indeed no fixed rule for the scrapping age of cars; it mainly depends on how you drive and maintain your vehicle. Based on my years of driving experience, scrapping is usually determined by two factors: first, if the mileage exceeds 600,000 kilometers, the car must be scrapped mandatorily; second, if the car is over 15 years old, it requires two annual inspections. If the car is in poor condition, too expensive to repair, or fails the inspection, it must also be scrapped. From my experience, with good maintenance—such as regular oil changes and brake checks—a car can last for more than ten or even twenty years without issues. However, if driven too aggressively or severely rusted, it might be time to consider a new one. Safety always comes first; don’t wait for an accident to regret it. These regulations are set to prevent road hazards, so paying attention to your car’s condition is always the right move.
