Can a vehicle pass the annual inspection with one reverse light not working?
3 Answers
Reverse light not working will result in failing the annual inspection. Below are the relevant details: 1. Auxiliary equipment: During the annual inspection, the vehicle body and its auxiliary equipment must be complete and functional to pass the inspection. A non-working reverse light will naturally cause the inspection to fail. 2. Visual inspection: During this phase, inspectors visually examine the vehicle's exterior to check for unauthorized modifications and verify if all lights are functioning properly; this is followed by instrument testing. Vehicle annual inspection refers to the yearly examination of vehicles that have already obtained official license plates and registration certificates, conducted according to the technical conditions for safe operation of motor vehicles. The purpose is to check the main technical conditions of the vehicle, encourage enhanced maintenance, ensure the vehicle is always in good condition, and guarantee driving safety.
If one of the reverse lights is not working, it will likely fail the annual inspection. As someone who often tinkers with cars, I know the annual inspection checks the lighting system very strictly. They will ask you to engage reverse gear for testing—if the light doesn’t work, it’s considered a functional failure. Standard regulations require reverse lights to function properly, as they serve as a safety warning when reversing. Missing one light means a lack of signal, posing significant potential risks. I suggest you check the issue immediately—usually, it’s just a burnt-out bulb or a blown fuse, which can be easily replaced. Don’t underestimate this problem. It might seem fine during the day, but at night, pedestrians may not see clearly, increasing the risk of collisions. Paying attention to light maintenance can prevent trouble. Failing the inspection once means a retest, wasting time and money unnecessarily.
Last month, my car failed the annual inspection because of a faulty reverse light. As a family car, one reverse light mysteriously stopped working, and the inspector directly said it wouldn't pass, as lighting issues are considered major defects. Later, I found out it was just poor contact in the lamp socket, and I fixed it myself with some adjustments, though it took quite some effort. This incident reminded me to pay more attention to the condition of my car's lights in daily life. Even seemingly minor things like reverse lights—when broken, not only do they affect safety, but they can also cause delays during inspections. Reverse lights are crucial for signaling vehicles and pedestrians behind you when backing up; missing that signal could lead to trouble in case of an accident. When repairing the car, it's a good idea to check the wiring as well—don't wait until the last minute. Develop a habit of testing the lights after starting the car during daily drives; staying fully prepared saves hassle in the long run.