Can modified LED headlights pass the annual vehicle inspection?
2 Answers
Whether modified LED headlights can pass the annual inspection depends on the specifications and performance of the modified headlights. If the color temperature, brightness, and beam angle of the modified headlights, which affect driving safety, meet the national requirements, they can pass the inspection. There are two main aspects to check: Whether the brightness meets the requirements, meaning the brightness must not be less than 1400 lumens. Whether the beam angle is up to standard, as long as the high and low beam angles are normal. Essentially, as long as the modified LED headlights do not compromise driving safety, they can pass the inspection. Relevant regulations for annual vehicle inspections: Vehicles that fail the inspection must be repaired within a specified period. If they still fail after the deadline, the vehicle management office will confiscate their license plates and prohibit further use. Vehicles that do not undergo the inspection without reason or fail the inspection are not allowed to be driven on the road or transferred. Vehicles that meet the scrapping conditions or exceed the prescribed service life will not be inspected, and their license plates will be revoked, their records deleted, and they will be scrapped.
It depends on how you modify it. My friend replaced his headlights with LED ones equipped with lenses at a certified shop last year, and after filing with the vehicle management office, he passed the annual inspection without issues. The key is compliance with national standards: the color temperature must not exceed 6000K (blue light is definitely not allowed), the low beam cutoff must be clear without glare, and dust covers are required. Never skimp on cost by buying uncertified products—I've seen cases where modified headlights fogged up and were rejected on the spot. It's advisable to keep the original halogen bulbs so you can swap them back for the inspection. The best approach is to file and check the parameters right after modification, which saves a lot of hassle compared to dealing with inspection failures later.
