Does a 6-year-old vehicle require on-site annual inspection?
2 Answers
Yes, an on-site inspection is required. According to the Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law, motor vehicles that have been in use for six years must undergo an on-site inspection procedure 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 timing. Impact of not undergoing inspection: If a motor vehicle fails to complete the annual inspection procedure for three consecutive inspection cycles, it will be subject to mandatory scrapping. Mandatorily scrapped vehicles are not permitted to be driven on the road. It is important to note that three inspection cycles do not necessarily equate to three years; they could be one and a half years, three years, or six years.
My car is exactly six years old now. Last year, I already took it for the mandatory annual inspection. According to regulations, new vehicles are exempt from on-site inspections for the first six years, only requiring the application for an inspection exemption decal every two years via the traffic management app or at service windows. However, after six years, an annual on-site inspection becomes mandatory. For the on-site inspection, you need to drive the car to a designated testing station, spending about half a day to check items like emissions, lights, and brakes. Last time, it cost me around 150 yuan, and the process went smoothly—provided the car is in good condition with no accident records. Regular maintenance is crucial, such as changing tires and cleaning carbon deposits, to avoid issues during inspection that could lead to more troublesome repairs. Timely annual inspections not only help avoid a 200-yuan fine but also ensure driving safety, as six-year-old cars may have aging parts and potential hazards. I recommend booking an inspection slot online in advance and bringing the vehicle license and original insurance policy for a hassle-free experience.
