Are Vehicles Under 10 Years Old Exempt from Inspection?

[MakaylaFitz]

Vehicles between 6 and 10 years old require an inspection every two years, and they must undergo on-site testing. Exempt vehicles: According to the new vehicle inspection regulations effective from November 20, 2020, vehicles under 6 years old can be exempted from inspection twice (an inspection mark must be applied for every two years, but no on-site testing is required); at the 6th and 8th year, the vehicle must undergo on-site testing. Vehicle annual inspection: This refers to a mandatory inspection for every vehicle that has obtained an official license plate and registration certificate, equivalent to an annual physical examination for the vehicle according to the 'Technical Conditions for Motor Vehicle Operation Safety.' Vehicle annual inspections can promptly eliminate potential safety hazards, encourage better vehicle maintenance, and reduce the occurrence of traffic accidents.

[HarrisonLee]

Cars purchased ten years ago do qualify for exemption from inspection, but it depends on the specific situation. According to the new regulations implemented in October 2022, private vehicles within ten years still need to apply for an inspection exemption sticker every two years during the first six years, without requiring an actual inspection. The key change is for vehicles aged six to ten years: previously requiring annual inspections, now only the 6th and 10th years mandate an on-site inspection, while the 8th year only requires applying for an exemption sticker via the Traffic Management 12123 App. Vehicles over ten years old revert to annual inspections. Failing to inspect on time and getting caught could result in fines and penalty points—better mark the inspection expiry date on your driving license in your phone calendar as a reminder.

[SpencerFitz]

I just dealt with my family's eight-year-old car last year. Vehicles within ten years are not completely exempt from inspections; it's mainly about reducing the frequency. For example, the sixth and tenth years require taking the car to the inspection station, but for the seventh, eighth, and ninth years, only the eighth year requires handling the formalities—just a few clicks on the phone to apply for an electronic inspection label, no need to queue for an inspection. It's important to note that the policy only applies to non-commercial passenger vehicles with fewer than 9 seats. If you've modified the lights or raised the chassis, the inspection station might not pass it. Recently, I saw someone who thought exemption meant no need to do anything at all, and ended up having their car impounded—such a shame.

[LenaRose]

The 10-year exemption policy depends on the vehicle's age milestones. For new cars, an electronic inspection label is required every two years within the first six years (no need to drive the vehicle in). During the 7-10 year period, the 8th year is the easiest—just upload the compulsory insurance certificate via the traffic management app to receive the electronic compliance certificate. However, the 6th and 10th years require an on-site inspection, including checks for emissions, brakes, and lights. My colleague skipped the inspection last year for his 10-year-old car and only discovered during the transfer this year that a retroactive inspection was needed, costing him several hundred extra. Modified vehicles should take special note: roof racks must not exceed 30cm in height to pass inspection.

[CooperFitz]

As a seasoned driver, let me remind you: Vehicle inspections within ten years have indeed been simplified. For the 2nd and 4th years, the entire process can be done via mobile phone; for the 6th and 10th years, you must dutifully visit the inspection station. The most unique is the 8th year—you don’t even need to drive your car out; just spend three minutes on your phone to get the electronic inspection exemption sticker. But don’t get the timing wrong—if you miss inspections for more than three cycles, the vehicle will be forcibly scrapped. Last week, a nine-year-old BMW in our neighborhood forgot to get inspected, rear-ended someone in the rain, and had its insurance claim denied, costing over ten thousand in repairs. Before your inspection, I recommend checking your lights and brakes yourself—inspection stations are particularly strict about light brightness now.

[DeAlina]

I've studied this policy, which is divided into three stages: for the first six years, you need to claim the inspection label online every two years; when entering the seventh year, pay attention to whether the physical inspection record for the sixth year is completed; the most critical is the eighth year, where you can obtain the electronic label just by operating on the Traffic Management 12123 app—personally tested, uploading screenshots of the insurance policy and vehicle tax got approved the same day. However, the inspection in the tenth year is very strict, especially for older cars where emissions are prone to fail, so it's recommended to change the engine oil and air filter in advance. There's a common misconception—exemption from inspection ≠ no need to complete procedures, failing to claim the label on time still counts as overdue. My neighbor was fined for driving a car within the exemption period, when in fact, a simple tap on the phone could have avoided it.