Does a 7-year-old car require an annual inspection?
2 Answers
An annual inspection is required. 1. Non-commercial passenger vehicles: New vehicles within 6 years are exempt from on-site inspection but must apply for inspection stickers every two years; eligible private cars registered after September 2012 can enjoy the exemption policy, requiring an annual inspection thereafter. Vehicles aged 6 to 15 years must undergo on-site inspection once a year, while those over 15 years require inspection every six months. 2. Commercial passenger vehicles: Annual inspection is required within the first 5 years; those over 5 years old require inspection every 6 months. 3. Trucks and large/medium non-commercial passenger vehicles: Annual inspection is required within the first 10 years; those over 10 years old require inspection every 6 months.
I recently took my old car for its annual inspection—it just turned 7 years old. I was surprised to learn that I’d have to visit the testing station every year from now on. I remembered that new cars are exempt from inspections for the first six years, so why start annual checks after seven? The inspector explained that as cars age, components like the braking system and emissions controls are more prone to issues. During my test, the car initially failed due to excessive emissions, but thankfully, I’d replaced some parts beforehand and passed. My advice: check your lights, tires, and brake pads before the inspection to avoid failures. Testing stations are quite convenient these days—just book an appointment in advance. It costs around 200-300 RMB per test, and don’t delay, or you might face fines. Safety comes first, and annual inspections ensure everyone stays safe on the road.
