Can a car pass the annual inspection with the engine warning light on?
2 Answers
A car with the engine warning light illuminated cannot pass the annual inspection. The annual inspection checks whether a vehicle meets the required standards, and if any warning light is on during the inspection, the vehicle will fail. Annual inspection includes: Checking whether the engine, chassis, body, and related equipment are clean, complete, and functional; whether the paint is uniform and aesthetically pleasing; whether major components have been replaced and match the initial inspection records. Testing whether the vehicle's braking performance, steering control, lighting, exhaust emissions, and other safety features comply with the "Technical Conditions for Safe Operation of Motor Vehicles." Verifying whether the vehicle has been modified, altered, or reconstructed; whether the driving license, license plate, and vehicle records match the actual condition of the vehicle; and whether approval and modification procedures have been completed. Checking whether the license plate, driving license, and enlarged license plate markings on the vehicle are damaged, altered, or illegible, and whether they need replacement. For large vehicles, verifying whether the unit name or the street, township, or district name and the maximum seating capacity in the cab are written in standard Chinese font on both sides of the door as required. For trucks, checking whether the rear panel (including the trailer's rear panel) displays the license plate number enlarged 2-3 times as required; for privately owned or jointly operated vehicles, whether the word "Private" is written on both sides of the door. The markings must be clear, and no unit codes or other patterns are allowed (special cases require approval from the vehicle management office).
When I see this question, I can't help but think of my experience helping people inspect their vehicles. Generally speaking, when the engine warning light is on, the annual inspection is likely to fail because nowadays the inspection mandates a check of the vehicle's OBD system. That light being on means there are fault codes in the system, and the inspection station will immediately detect the issue upon reading the codes, resulting in an automatic fail. From my practical experience, before taking the car for inspection, it's best to first visit a repair shop to scan for fault codes. It might be a minor issue like worn spark plugs or a faulty sensor. Only after fixing the problem and turning off the warning light should you proceed with the inspection. If you take the risk and drive it there as is, not only will you fail the inspection, but you might also waste time and even incur additional fines. In short, don't take the risk—safety first. Get the light issue resolved before considering the inspection. It saves both money and hassle, and driving a well-maintained car gives you peace of mind.
