Does a car in its ninth year need to undergo an on-line inspection?
2 Answers
A car in its ninth year does not need to undergo an on-line inspection. According to national regulations, for non-operational small and mini passenger cars (excluding minivans) that are over 6 years old but less than 10 years old, the inspection frequency has been adjusted from once a year to once every two years. Therefore, a car in its ninth year does not require an on-line inspection. Below is an introduction to on-line inspections: Introduction to on-line inspections: An on-line inspection refers to the vehicle needing to go through an inspection line to test various indicators of the car. Only those that pass will be issued an annual inspection sticker. Non-on-line inspections refer to special vehicles that do not meet the conditions for on-line inspections and can instead use road tests to assess the safety performance of various data. Since the implementation of the exemption policy for non-operational vehicles within 6 years, vehicles that have not been inspected before cannot enjoy the exemption policy and still need to undergo inspections at inspection institutions according to the original regulations. Parts inspected during on-line inspections: Check whether the engine, chassis, body, and their auxiliary equipment are complete and functional, whether the paint is evenly applied and aesthetically pleasing, whether major components have been replaced, and whether they match the initial inspection records. Inspect whether the vehicle has been modified, altered, or transformed, whether the driving license, license plate, and all vehicle registration records match the actual condition of the vehicle, whether there have been any changes, and whether approval and alteration or modification procedures have been completed. Check whether the vehicle license plate, driving license, and the enlarged license plate print on the vehicle are damaged, altered, or unclear, and whether they need to be replaced. Inspect whether the vehicle's braking performance, steering control, lighting, and other safety performances meet the requirements of the "Technical Conditions for Safe Operation of Motor Vehicles."
I recently dealt with the inspection for my nine-year-old car. Yes, a car in its ninth year does need to go to the inspection station for an on-site check. I remember that for the first six years, new cars didn’t require this—just applying for a decal every two years was enough. But from the seventh year onward, the rules changed, requiring an on-site inspection every year or every two years. The ninth year falls right within this range. At the time, I drove my car to the inspection station, where they checked the lights, brakes, emissions, chassis, and so on, which took about an hour or two. The main issue is that as a car ages, parts tend to wear out, and without inspection, any unnoticed problems could make driving unsafe. I’d recommend booking an appointment in advance and bringing your vehicle license and ID card to avoid long queues. Also, before the inspection, do a quick check yourself to make sure things like the brake lights are working properly—otherwise, failing the test means extra time and hassle for repairs. It’s not too much trouble, and most importantly, it’s for the safety of both yourself and others.
