Can a Vehicle Pass the Annual Inspection After an Engine Replacement?

[JasperLee]

Replacing the engine will not allow the vehicle to pass the annual inspection. It is necessary to first complete the modification registration at the vehicle management office before it can pass the inspection. According to Article 10 of the "Regulations on the Registration of Motor Vehicles," if a registered motor vehicle undergoes any of the following changes, the owner must apply for modification registration at the local vehicle management office: changing the body color; replacing the engine; replacing the body or frame; replacing the entire vehicle due to quality issues; changing the use nature of the vehicle (e.g., converting a commercial vehicle to non-commercial or vice versa); or relocating the owner's residence into or out of the jurisdiction of the vehicle management office. Documents required for engine replacement modification registration: "Motor Vehicle License," "Motor Vehicle Registration Certificate," "Application Form for Motor Vehicle Modification Registration," "Motor Vehicle Registration Process Record Form," proof of identity of the vehicle owner, proof of engine origin, safety technical inspection certificate, and criminal inspection certificate.

[McMichael]

Last year, my car had an engine replacement, and it passed the annual inspection without any issues. The key is to go to the vehicle management office to complete the change registration, bringing along the new engine's certification and the repair shop invoice. I specifically chose an engine of the same model, with the same displacement as stated on the vehicle registration certificate. During the registration process, the staff simply checked the stamped serial number. Nowadays, it's also convenient to have the annual inspection done in a different location, but some places are particularly strict about modifications, so I recommend returning to the original registration location for the inspection. Remember to keep the repair list handy in case you're asked to prove that it was a legitimate operation. For parts like the exhaust pipe and muffler that might be modified along with the engine, it's best to keep them in their original factory condition to reduce the chance of complications. Finally, a reminder: unnecessary changes like altering the engine color should definitely be avoided.

[AndersonAnn]

I've been in auto repair for 20 years and handled over a hundred engine replacements. Passing the annual inspection mainly depends on three factors: First, whether the new engine has legitimate documentation—smuggled ones are definitely unacceptable. Second, whether the displacement and type have been altered—switching from diesel to gasoline will absolutely fail. Third, the exhaust emission data must meet standards. Just last week, I helped a car owner with the filing process. The DMV is quite efficient now—with the engine number imprint and modification certificate, the paperwork was completed in half an hour. Key reminder: don't tamper with the ECU programming; abnormal OBD data readings during inspection will result in immediate failure.

[JaxsonMarie]

A classmate who studies auto repair told me that engine replacement depends on the situation. For ordinary family cars, replacing the engine with the same original model and following the filing process can usually pass inspection. However, if you're into modified cars and swap in a performance engine like the 2JZ, there's a 90% chance it will fail the annual inspection. From personal experience, I remind you: after replacing the engine, don't rush to the annual inspection. First, drive at least 500 kilometers to let the ECU adapt. Once, I helped a client replace the engine and went straight to the inspection, only to get stuck because the oxygen sensor data was off the charts. Nowadays, new cars are exempt from inspection for the first six years, but modified engines will still be scrutinized during the sixth-year inspection. It's advisable to do a pre-inspection beforehand.