
Vehicles over 6 years old must undergo annual inspection, which is the normal annual inspection. The relevant provisions of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law" are expanded as follows: Article 16: Motor vehicles shall undergo safety technical inspections according to the following periods from the date of registration: 1. Passenger vehicles for operational use shall be inspected once a year within 5 years; passenger vehicles for operational use over 5 years old shall be inspected once every 6 months. 2. Trucks and large, medium-sized non-operational passenger vehicles shall be inspected once a year within 10 years; non-operational passenger vehicles over 10 years old shall be inspected once every 6 months. 3. Small and mini non-operational passenger vehicles shall be inspected once every 2 years within 6 years; those over 6 years old shall be inspected once a year; those over 15 years old shall be inspected once every 6 months. 4. Motorcycles shall be inspected once every 2 years within 4 years; those over 4 years old shall be inspected once a year. 5. Tractors and other motor vehicles shall be inspected once a year. Operational motor vehicles that pass the safety technical inspection within the specified inspection period shall not undergo repeated safety technical inspections. 6. Vehicles that exceed the scrapping age cannot be transferred (sold or bought), but can continue to be used; for transactions, the vehicle's scrapping certificate (canceling the vehicle's file) can be processed at the vehicle management office first, and then the transaction can proceed.

I've always driven old cars, and after 6 years they require annual inspections, which is quite a hassle but unavoidable. My old clunker only had its first inspection when it turned 6, and I had to wait in line for hours to get the lights, brakes, and emissions checked. Finding a minor issue meant multiple trips. Why so strict? The government worries about old cars breaking down—things like brake failure or excessive emissions can cause trouble. So I suggest checking your car annually beforehand to ensure the tires and lights are fine, avoiding last-minute fails and fines. If you can't be bothered, a reliable auto shop can handle appointments for you—properly maintained old cars can still be safe on the road.

My car just turned 6 years old and now has to undergo annual inspections. At first, I thought I could skip it, but a friend reminded me that regulations vary by region, with most places requiring periodic safety checks for older vehicles. For example, inspections are stricter in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, while smaller cities might be more lenient. I started by checking basic components myself: the engine, brake pads, horn, etc., and fixing any issues promptly. Don’t underestimate the inspection process—it genuinely helps prevent accidents, especially during summer when high temperatures increase the risk of car fires. Although it costs extra money and time each year, it’s worth it for the safety of myself and others.

After 6 years, vehicles generally require annual inspections for safety reasons. Key checks include lights, steering systems, and whether emission values meet standards. Older vehicles with aging wiring or fast-wearing brake pads pose significant risks if not inspected. I recall one instance where my car failed due to excessive exhaust emissions, and it took replacing the catalytic converter to pass. It's advisable to pay attention to regular maintenance to minimize inspection hassles.


