Scrappage Policy in Delhi: Controversy Erupts as 'Zero-Pollution' 16-Year-Old Mercedes Labelled Vintage Scrap

Public outrage erupted after a social media user revealed that his father’s well-maintained, 16-year-old Mercedes E280 V6 had been marked for scrapping in Delhi under the government’s vehicle age rules, despite its zero emissions and excellent performance.

Backlash Over Delhi's Age-Based Scrappage Policy

The controversy centres around a rule enforced in Delhi that bans diesel cars older than 10 years and petrol cars older than 15 years, regardless of their condition or emission level. Rattan Dhillon, the Twitter user who posted about the incident, claimed that his father’s vehicle, a Mercedes E280 V6, outran many new models and produces zero pollution. The car, however, fell victim to Delhi’s scrappage list due to its age, sparking criticism online.

What the Law Says

As per the orders of the Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal (NGT), Delhi-NCR enforces strict bans on vehicle usage based solely on manufacturing age. Petrol vehicles exceeding 15 years and diesel ones exceeding 10 years are de-registered. These vehicles must either be scrapped or relocated. 

Owners can apply for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to use the car in another state or submit an affidavit committing to not operating the vehicle in Delhi. Starting July 1, 2025, refuelling such vehicles in Delhi has also been prohibited.

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Voices from the Public

Social media platforms were flooded with responses. Many users criticised the blanket scrappage policy, citing emotional value, waste concerns, and better performance in older premium models. “Age-based obsolescence is nonsense,” wrote one responder. Some questioned whether environmental goals can be achieved through blanket policies that ignore real-time emissions. Others pointed out that such regulations had existed since as early as 2014, and questioned why owners had not contested them earlier.

A Clash Between Technology and Regulation

This case exposes a broader issue: regulatory standards often disregard technological capabilities. Premium vehicles like the Mercedes E280 can outlive and outperform newer models both mechanically and environmentally. 

The insistence on using age as the primary metric undermines investments made into quality engineering and maintenance. The situation illustrates the friction between well-intentioned environmental policies and evolving vehicle technology.

Conclusion

The story of the zero-emission Mercedes being labelled as vintage scrap has reignited debate over Delhi’s vehicle age limit regulations. Despite the vehicle’s condition and reduced emissions, strict laws prioritise age over data-driven environmental assessments. This growing divide highlights the need for smarter, condition-based policies that consider emissions and safety benchmarks over fixed timelines.

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