What is the vehicle scrappage standard?

[DelBella]

For domestic 5-seater cars and 7-seater SUVs, as well as non-commercial small and micro vehicles, there is no usage period limit. When the normal mileage reaches 600,000 kilometers, the state will guide the scrappage. In addition to the above vehicles, small and micro non-commercial passenger cars, large non-commercial cars, and wheeled special machinery vehicles also have no usage period limit. Commercial vehicles have scrappage periods, as follows: Small and micro taxi passenger vehicles have a scrappage period of 8 years, medium-sized taxi passenger vehicles have a scrappage period of 10 years, and large taxi passenger vehicles have a scrappage period of 12 years. Public transport passenger vehicles have a scrappage period of 13 years, other small and micro commercial passenger vehicles have a scrappage period of 10 years, and large and medium-sized commercial passenger vehicles have a scrappage period of 15 years. Micro commercial trucks have a scrappage period of 8 years, light and large commercial trucks have a scrappage period of 10 years. The vehicle scrappage process is as follows: The vehicle owner applying for scrappage renewal must fill out one copy of the "Motor Vehicle Change, Transfer, Modification, Suspension, Scrappage Approval Application Form" and affix the owner's seal. The registration office will accept the application and issue a "Vehicle Scrappage Notice" for vehicles that have reached the scrappage period. For vehicles that have not reached the scrappage period, after inspection by the motor vehicle inspection office and confirmation that they meet the scrappage standards, a "Vehicle Scrappage 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 Inspection 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 scrappage registration will be processed after approval according to regulations. 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. If a commercial vehicle is converted to a non-commercial vehicle, it must be scrapped according to the original commercial vehicle's scrappage 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 registration; (2) The owner must have owned the original vehicle for more than three years.

[AsherLee]

I've been driving compact cars for over a decade, and this is quite a common topic. In China, the scrapping standards for compact cars mainly depend on whether they can pass the annual inspection, rather than having a fixed age limit. Take my old car for example—private vehicles basically have no mandatory scrapping age, but once a car is over 10 or 15 years old, the annual inspection becomes extremely strict. If it fails the inspection—due to excessive exhaust emissions, brake failure, or engine aging—the vehicle management office will recommend scrapping it. Additionally, for commercial vehicles like taxis, the scrapping standards are tighter, usually requiring mandatory scrapping after 6 years or 600,000 kilometers of use. I think these standards are quite reasonable, as older cars have higher maintenance costs and greater safety risks, making it more reassuring to switch to a new one. Another point is environmental recycling—when scrapping, don’t forget to go to an authorized facility to dismantle the old car, as the metals can be recycled to reduce pollution.

[PeytonAnn]

As a new driver, I specifically researched this issue when I bought my car last year. The scrapping standards for small cars are not as simple as imagined; they mainly depend on the actual condition of the vehicle rather than a rigid age limit. In China, private cars are basically not restricted by age, but annual inspections are becoming increasingly stringent. If the mileage is extremely high or the safety test fails, mandatory scrapping may be required. For commercial vehicles, the standards are even stricter, with some only allowing a 6-year lifespan. I learned from automotive forums that extra caution is needed when choosing a used car—check its annual inspection records to avoid purchasing one close to the scrapping point. This is also related to environmental protection, as older cars emit more exhaust and are more likely to be scrapped if they don’t meet the China VI emission standards. It’s advisable to perform regular maintenance to extend the car’s lifespan. When scrapping is necessary, use designated agencies to handle the procedures, ensuring it’s both legal and hassle-free.

[StConnor]

As a car enthusiast who frequently dismantles and repairs old vehicles, I understand that the key criterion for scrapping a car is its safety performance—it's not strictly based on age, but rather determined by annual inspections. For instance, severe engine wear, brake system failures, or chassis corrosion that result in test failures necessitate scrapping. National standards encourage private cars to be used for longer periods, whereas commercial vehicles like public transport have a 6-year limit. I believe these standards are essential—older cars are prone to spontaneous combustion or loss of control; when repair costs become excessively high, scrapping becomes the more economical choice. From a technical standpoint, aging engines and electronic control systems are primary factors. Regular maintenance can help delay the scrapping timeline.