Will a car be automatically scrapped if it hasn't undergone annual inspection for three years?

[McBrianna]

A car that hasn't undergone annual inspection for three years will be automatically scrapped. The standards for mandatory scrapping are: Reaching the prescribed service life; After repair and adjustment, still failing to meet the national standards for in-use vehicle safety technical requirements; After repair and adjustment or the adoption of control technology, still failing to meet the national standards for in-use vehicle requirements regarding atmospheric pollutant emissions or noise; Failing to obtain the motor vehicle inspection qualification mark for three consecutive inspection cycles after the expiration of the inspection validity period. Motor vehicle scrapping process: The car owner applying for scrapping and renewal must fill out and submit the "Motor Vehicle Change, Transfer, Modification, Suspension, Scrapping Approval Application Form" in duplicate, stamped with the owner's seal. Apply at the registration 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 being verified by the motor vehicle inspection counter and deemed to meet the scrapping standards, a "Vehicle Scrapping Notice" will be issued. The owner, with the "Notice," can choose a qualified recycling company to dismantle the vehicle. 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 Updated Vehicle 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 case will be reported for approval according to regulations to complete the scrapping registration.

[DiHaley]

I was thinking about the importance of not having a vehicle inspected for three years. According to regulations, if a vehicle goes uninspected for three consecutive inspection cycles, it must be mandatorily scrapped. However, this doesn’t mean the car automatically turns into scrap metal. The specific process requires the owner to actively go to the DMV to complete the scrapping and deregistration procedures, or wait until the traffic police seize the vehicle and enforce scrapping. For example, small cars require an inspection every two years for the first six years, and then annually after six years. If a car goes uninspected for three consecutive years, it directly triggers the scrapping standard. But if you don’t complete the procedures, the car remains registered under your name, and you won’t be able to license a new car in the future. A neighbor of mine had this happen—they kept delaying the process, only to discover abnormal records when trying to sell the used car, losing tens of thousands of yuan for nothing. I recommend handling the scrapping process early; you can still get some residual value subsidies during dismantling.

[StXavier]

Honestly, failing to get your car inspected for three years is more than just a minor hassle. Legally speaking, if a vehicle misses three consecutive inspection cycles, it gets mandatorily scrapped—but it's not automatic. You have to personally visit the DMV to fill out forms for deregistration. For example, new cars require inspection every two years for the first six years. Missing the third-year inspection counts as two cycles overdue, and dragging it out another year hits the three-cycle threshold. If left parked in the garage without handling it, the system will mark the car as scrapped, yet it still occupies your ownership quota—even restricting your ability to buy an electric vehicle. A colleague of mine learned this the hard way: delaying the scrapping process for half a year led to over 3,000 yuan in late fees and fines. Not to mention, long-term parked cars suffer from battery leaks and tire deformation—just moving it to the scrapyard requires a tow truck, adding extra costs.

[McJosephine]

I'm quite clear about this. If a vehicle hasn't been inspected for three years, it indeed faces mandatory scrapping, but it's not automatic. For example, passenger cars have phased inspection cycles: once in the first two years, once in the fourth year, and annually after the sixth year. Three years without inspection means crossing three cycle lines. Scrapping requires the owner to actively apply for it; if not done, the vehicle management office will record it as pending cancellation. The consequences are significant: the vehicle cannot be driven on the road, otherwise it will be impounded with fines; insurance becomes invalid and won't cover accidents; the license plate becomes void, affecting the renewal quota. Additionally, long-term parking can lead to fuel line blockages, brake rust, and the actual condition of the vehicle may be close to scrapping. It's advisable not to delay handling this.