Can Modified Projector Headlights Pass Vehicle Inspection?
3 Answers
As long as the modified projector headlights meet the lighting inspection standards, they can pass the annual vehicle inspection. Nowadays, as long as the projector modification follows the standardized procedures, it can generally pass the inspection. Period: There will be no penalty for being one day overdue. Vehicles that exceed the inspection period by less than one year can undergo a supplementary inspection procedure at the vehicle management department without facing penalties. However, if the inspection period is exceeded by more than one year, a penalty of 3 demerit points will be imposed, and the vehicle may be temporarily impounded. Penalty: For motor vehicles driven on the road without displaying the inspection compliance label, the vehicle may be impounded, and 1 demerit point will be deducted. If compulsory traffic insurance is not purchased, a penalty of twice the insurance premium will be imposed.
I've modified my lens headlights several times, and whether they'll pass the inspection depends on whether your modifications comply with national regulations and testing standards. From what I understand, the lighting inspection during the annual vehicle check is very strict, including checks on brightness, light pattern, and whether the color is within the allowed range. For example, if you change halogen lights to xenon lens lights but don't install a lens or adjust them properly, resulting in light that's too scattered or too intense, it's easy to be deemed unqualified. I recommend checking the GB 7258 standard before making modifications to ensure the light source's color temperature doesn't exceed 4300K and the light pattern isn't glaring. Otherwise, not only will your vehicle fail the inspection, but you might also face fines from traffic police. It's best to use lens products with ECE or 3C certification and have a professional shop calibrate the angle with a light meter after installation, which increases the chances of passing. Don't try to save money by DIYing haphazardly—if something goes wrong, it'll just cause more trouble. Every time I see people online saying you can modify them however you want, I remind everyone not to take such advice lightly—safety comes first.
As a car owner, I've also tried lens modification myself. That time, I specifically bought a well-known brand's LED lens kit, and after installation, the effect was indeed much brighter. During the inspection, I noticed they mainly focus on whether the lights are too glaring and if the light distribution is even. My experience is that as long as the light fixtures don't change the original car light source type, such as from halogen to xenon or LED, and with a lens that has good focusing effect, it can basically pass. But if the light pattern is off or there's scattering, it needs readjustment. I suggest everyone do a pre-inspection at the local testing station before modification. Some places offer free testing, which can save you from being held up later. A well-done lens modification also improves night vision, something I've deeply experienced from actual driving. Remember, don't randomly change the color to blue or red light, as that's strictly prohibited. A friend of mine had to redo it twice because of this. Before doing it yourself, watch more installation tutorials and test properly before hitting the road—it's safe and worry-free.
