Do small cars require two inspections per year after 15 years?

[Gideon]

After a car reaches 15 years of age, it requires two inspections per year. Below is some extended knowledge about vehicle inspections: Inspection intervals: According to Article 16 of the revised "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" in October 2017, passenger transport vehicles must be inspected once a year within 5 years; those over 5 years must be inspected every 6 months; trucks and large or medium-sized non-passenger transport vehicles must be inspected once a year within 10 years; those over 10 years must be inspected every 6 months; small and mini non-passenger transport vehicles must be inspected once every 2 years within 6 years; those over 6 years must be inspected once a year; and those over 15 years must be inspected every 6 months. Vehicle inspection: This refers to a mandatory test for every vehicle that has obtained an official license plate and registration certificate. It is equivalent to an annual physical examination for the vehicle according to the "Technical Conditions for Motor Vehicle Operation Safety." Vehicle inspections can promptly eliminate potential safety hazards, encourage better vehicle maintenance, and reduce the occurrence of traffic accidents.

[MacAnderson]

Now there have been adjustments to the vehicle annual inspection regulations. I remember that since the end of 2022, the new policy has simplified the process. For small vehicles over 15 years old, an annual inspection is required only once a year, not twice. The specific rules are: new vehicles are exempt from inspection for the first 6 years, from 6 to 10 years they are inspected every two years, from 10 to 15 years they are inspected annually, and vehicles over 15 years old still require an annual inspection. This change is to make it more convenient for vehicle owners, but older vehicles require more attention because components like the braking system and lights are prone to aging. Failing to inspect them on time may lead to driving risks. Getting an inspection once a year at an official inspection station saves time and ensures safety. If you delay too long, you may face fines, and it could also affect insurance claims. In short, just follow the new regulations and don’t believe those rumors about twice-a-year inspections.

[LaSpencer]

My car is almost 16 years old. Last year when I went for the annual inspection, the staff at the testing station told me that vehicles over 15 years old now only require one inspection per year. I was worried about having to go twice, but they explained that the policy had been updated. The inspection process was simple, mainly checking if the lights work, the brakes function properly, and if the emissions meet standards. It took about half an hour to complete. The cost was a little over 200 yuan. If any issues were found, like a broken light, fixing it on the spot would allow the car to pass. I think it's great—older cars naturally need more frequent checks, and once a year is just right, saving both money and hassle. Don't believe everything you hear, thinking it requires two inspections a year—that's outdated information. The reality is that one inspection per year is all you need to drive with peace of mind.

[MelanieDella]

As vehicles age, safety concerns become more critical. For small cars over 15 years old, the regulation requires an annual inspection, not twice a year. This frequency is quite reasonable because older car parts are prone to failure, such as worn brake pads or cloudy light covers, which could lead to accidents. Each annual inspection can identify potential hazards, like aging steering systems or emission issues, allowing for timely repairs to prevent problems. I've seen cases where a friend's car wasn't inspected on time, and a minor accident revealed brake failure. So don't focus on the number of inspections—once a year is sufficient. The key is ensuring the quality of the inspection and regularly checking your car's condition yourself.

[VonXavier]

There was indeed a saying in the past that vehicles over 15 years old needed to be inspected twice a year, but those were old regulations before 2020. I remember there was a similar requirement in 2012. After the new policy was introduced in 2022, vehicles over 15 years old only require an annual inspection. Many car owners might confuse the old information, but in practice, inspection stations follow the new regulations and only require an annual inspection. If you check the information or ask the vehicle management office, you can confirm this. To avoid unnecessary trips, it's recommended to schedule an annual inspection on time—not only does it save money and time, but it also ensures the overall safety of the vehicle.