Difference in Annual Inspection Between 5-Seater and 7-Seater Vehicles
2 Answers
The difference in annual inspection between 5-seater and 7-seater vehicles is: 5-seater vehicles enjoy an exemption from inspection for the first 6 years, while 7-seater vehicles still require annual inspections during the initial 6 years. Below are the detailed explanations: 1. Within the first 6 years, 7-seater vehicles need to undergo on-site inspection every 2 years; whereas 5-seater vehicles only require one on-site inspection during this period and are exempt for the remaining 5 years. 7-seater vehicles will undergo 2 more inspections than 5-seater vehicles. 2. Due to some regions being hotspots for using 7-seater private vehicles as commercial vehicles, enforcement is slightly stricter. During the annual inspection, the phrase 'Approved Capacity: 7 Persons' will be sprayed on the vehicle, significantly affecting its aesthetics; this does not apply to 5-seater vehicles. 3. 5-seater vehicles can apply for an exemption sticker to avoid on-site inspection, but the exemption sticker must still be renewed every 2 years. Vehicles with expired inspection stickers or without annual inspection stickers may face fines, points deducted by traffic police, or even vehicle impoundment, leading to unnecessary trouble. 4. The annual inspection schedule for 7-seater vehicles is as follows: for the first 6 years, inspection is required every 2 years; from the 7th to the 15th year, inspection is required annually; after 15 years, inspection is required every 6 months.
I've been driving a five-seater for years and have also helped friends with the annual inspections for seven-seaters. Nowadays, the differences are minimal. In the past, when policies were different, seven-seaters required annual on-site inspections, while five-seaters only needed them every year after six years, making it more troublesome for seven-seater owners. Under the new regulations, both types only require biennial inspections within the first 10 years, which simplifies things. However, during inspections, seven-seaters might undergo additional checks on seat stability, the number of seat belts, and the safety of the third-row space—for example, inspectors will ensure all seats can properly use seat belts. Five-seaters, on the other hand, focus more on routine checks like lights and braking systems. It's advisable for seven-seater owners to pay extra attention to seat wear and tire conditions during regular maintenance to prevent safety issues from overloading. The inspection costs are roughly the same, though seven-seaters may have higher maintenance costs due to more frequent part replacements. Overall, the differences have narrowed significantly since the policies were unified.
