Can Modified Exhaust Pipes Pass the Annual Inspection?
2 Answers
Modified exhaust pipes cannot pass the annual inspection. The following are the relevant regulations on vehicle modifications: 1. Modification within the specified scope: To modify a motor vehicle, it must be done within the scope specified by the traffic management department. This includes modifications to the body color, engine, fuel type, and vehicle identification number. After submitting an application, the driver must obtain approval from the traffic management department before proceeding with the modification. 2. No assembly or unauthorized modification: No unit or individual may assemble a motor vehicle or alter its registered structure, construction, or features without authorization. 3. Modifications must be permitted by the traffic management department: Unauthorized modifications to the chassis, engine, suspension, transmission system, steering system, tires and rims, lights, body color painting, and external structure of a motor vehicle, as well as any technical data that does not match the data announced by the State Council's motor vehicle product authority, are considered modifications.
When I was younger, I loved modifying my car's exhaust to make it sound cool, and all my friends gave me thumbs up. But last year, when I went to the vehicle inspection station for the annual check, they directly told me the noise was too loud and failed the inspection. I had to restore it to the factory default and even got fined—super embarrassing. After that, I did some research and learned that national regulations require exhaust noise not to exceed standards, and emissions must meet GB standards; otherwise, it’s an automatic fail. Now I hear enforcement is even stricter in some places, like big cities where even minor modifications are checked. So my advice is: don’t modify recklessly—if you run into trouble, you’ll waste time fixing it. If you really want to modify, first check your local vehicle regulations or just use factory-certified parts—it’s safer and hassle-free.
