Does a 9-year-old car require an annual inspection?
2 Answers
According to Article 16 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law", a 9-year-old car does require an annual inspection. Non-commercial vehicles are exempt from inspection for the first six years, then inspected every two years from six to ten years. Vehicles over ten years old require an annual inspection, and those over 15 years old require an inspection every six months. Commercial vehicles must be inspected annually within the first five years and every six months thereafter. The documents required for the vehicle inspection include the vehicle's registration certificate, valid compulsory insurance policy, the owner's ID card, and all outstanding traffic violation records must be cleared in advance. Additional notes: Trucks and large or medium-sized non-commercial passenger vehicles must be inspected annually within the first ten years and every six months thereafter. Motorcycles must be inspected every two years within the first four years and annually thereafter. The main items included in the vehicle inspection are: Appearance inspection: This primarily checks the vehicle's lights, body appearance, suspension, sunroof, and tires. It ensures the lights are functioning correctly, checks for any unlit lights, verifies if the body color has been altered, and examines any modifications to the suspension. Emission test: This checks whether the vehicle's exhaust emissions meet national standards during high-speed operation. On-road test: This mainly focuses on the vehicle's braking system, headlights, horn, and chassis. Violation check: Before the inspection, all outstanding traffic violation records must be cleared to pass. Vehicle inspections can be conducted up to 90 days in advance but must not be overdue. According to Article 47, Paragraph 4 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Management Regulations", vehicles that fail to undergo the required safety technical inspection within the stipulated period will be subject to a warning or fine by the public traffic management department. The inspection can only proceed after the fine is paid. Consequences of failing to undergo the inspection include: Vehicles that have not undergone the inspection on time are not allowed on the road. Driving an uninspected vehicle will result in a 3-point penalty and a fine. If an uninspected vehicle is involved in a traffic accident, the driver bears full or primary responsibility, and the insurance company will not cover the damages. Driving an uninspected vehicle is considered illegal and may result in the vehicle being impounded.
It depends on the specific vehicle model and policies. I just handled my own 9-year-old car last year, and the annual inspection policy for private cars has indeed been optimized. For non-commercial passenger vehicles with 6 seats or fewer, only an electronic inspection label is required in the 8th year (no on-site inspection needed), so the 9th year is within the exemption period and no action is required. However, minivans and commercial vehicles are exceptions. It's recommended to check the validity period via the Traffic Management 12123 App and ensure timely insurance purchase. If modifications have been made to the chassis or engine, proactive inspection is more prudent. After all, as the vehicle ages, regular checks on brakes and lights are also essential.
