Can a car pass inspection if the reverse light is not working?
4 Answers
Reverse light not working will cause the car to fail the annual inspection. During the inspection, the lighting check mainly consists of two parts: 1. Visual inspection: The inspector visually examines the vehicle's exterior to check for unauthorized modifications and ensures all lights are functioning properly; 2. Instrument testing: A movable light-measuring device is used to test the brightness of both headlights. As long as the brightness of the left and right lights is consistent, the car will pass the inspection. Documents required for the annual inspection: vehicle registration certificate, inspector's ID card, compulsory traffic accident liability insurance policy, and a triangular warning sign. According to regulations, private passenger vehicles are exempt from inspection for the first six years and can directly receive a compliance certificate. Vehicles exempt from inspection within six years can complete the annual review online without queuing at the vehicle management office.
Last time I went for a vehicle inspection, my reverse lights suddenly stopped working and I was directly failed. The inspector said all lighting functions must be in perfect condition to pass, especially safety equipment like this which can't be neglected. Reverse lights serve to alert others that you're backing up - parking in residential areas at night without them can easily cause accidents. Common causes are burnt-out bulbs or loose wiring. I checked at home by putting the car in reverse and stepping out to look - sure enough the lights were out. Simply replacing the bulb fixed the issue. Definitely don't wait until inspection day to discover such problems. Overall, doing some preparatory work like checking all your vehicle lights can save hassle later and ensure passing in one go.
As someone who values car safety, I believe that a non-functioning reverse light will definitely fail the vehicle inspection. The inspection standards strictly require all lighting systems to operate normally, and the reverse light is a key inspection point that directly affects the judgment of vehicles or pedestrians behind. I once helped a friend deal with a similar issue—during the inspection, the light not working was directly recorded as a failure. The root cause is often a blown fuse or aging switch. A simple method is to start the vehicle, shift into reverse gear, and observe if the light turns on. If it doesn’t, repair it promptly to avoid retesting fees. Safety comes first—don’t lose sight of the bigger picture over minor issues during the inspection.
In vehicle inspections, the reverse light not illuminating usually results in a failure. The inspection process tests all lighting functions, and whether the reverse light turns on when shifting into reverse gear is a mandatory criterion. From personal experience, the most common issues are expired bulb life or loose connections, which are easy and inexpensive to repair. For example, you can try replacing the bulb yourself. From a safety perspective, it plays a significant role in low-light conditions, and neglecting it poses high risks. It's recommended to thoroughly check the lighting system before the inspection to ensure a smooth pass.
