Does a 6-year-old vehicle require on-site annual inspection?
2 Answers
6-year-old vehicles require on-site inspection. According to the Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law, motor vehicles that have been in use for six years must undergo on-site inspection procedures during the sixth year. This can be processed at the local vehicle management office or the traffic management department of the public security authority. The annual inspection of motor vehicles can be conducted up to three months in advance, which is considered normal. Below is an introduction to the contents of vehicle annual inspections: Passenger transport vehicles: Inspected once a year within the first 5 years; inspected every 6 months after exceeding 5 years. Trucks and large/medium-sized non-passenger transport vehicles: Inspected once a year within the first 10 years; inspected every 6 months after exceeding 10 years. Small and mini non-passenger transport vehicles: Inspected once every 2 years within the first 6 years; inspected once a year after exceeding 6 years; inspected every 6 months after exceeding 15 years. Motorcycles: Inspected once every 2 years within the first 4 years; inspected once a year after exceeding 4 years. Tractors and other motor vehicles: Inspected once a year. If an operational motor vehicle passes the safety technical inspection within the stipulated inspection period, it does not need to undergo repeated safety technical inspections. Vehicles exceeding 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 record) can first be processed at the vehicle management office before proceeding with the transaction.
When my car turned 6 years old, I took it for the annual inspection, which indeed required an on-site test—unlike new cars that can handle it online. I remember waiting in line for half a day to get the lights, brakes, and emissions system checked, and the whole process took about one or two hours. I was initially worried about minor issues like tire wear or aging brake pads, but luckily, I had already checked the engine oil and lights beforehand. It’s a legal requirement—hitting the 6-year mark is a turning point for small cars, and you’ll need to pay extra attention to maintenance afterward. The upside is that it helps uncover potential risks, like excessive emissions or loose parts, ensuring road safety. If you don’t want the hassle, I recommend booking an appointment online in advance and bringing your vehicle license and insurance policy—passing it in one go saves trouble. If you skip it and get caught, you’ll face fines, so I made sure to get it done promptly. Looking back, regular inspections also help keep the car in better shape for longer.
