Does a car in its ninth year require an on-site inspection?
2 Answers
"A car in its ninth year does not require an on-site inspection. According to national regulations, for non-operational small and micro passenger vehicles (excluding minivans) over 6 years but under 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-site inspection. Below is an introduction to on-site inspections: Introduction to on-site inspections: An on-site inspection refers to the vehicle needing to undergo a series of tests on an inspection line to check various indicators of the car. Only those that pass will receive an annual inspection sticker. Non-on-site inspections refer to special vehicles that do not meet the conditions for on-site inspections and can instead undergo road tests to assess the safety performance of various data. Under the 6-year exemption policy for non-operational vehicles, vehicles that have not been inspected before cannot enjoy the exemption policy and still need to participate in inspections at inspection institutions as per the original regulations. Areas inspected during an on-site inspection: Check whether the engine, chassis, body, and their auxiliary equipment are complete and effective, whether the paint surface is uniform and aesthetically pleasing, whether the main assemblies have been replaced, and whether they match the initial inspection records. Inspect whether the vehicle has been modified, remodeled, or altered, whether the driving license, license plate, and all vehicle registration records match the actual condition of the vehicle, whether there are any changes, and whether approval and 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 illegible, and whether they need to be replaced. Test whether the vehicle's braking performance, steering control, lighting, and other safety performance meet the requirements of the "Technical Conditions for Safe Operation of Motor Vehicles."
Oh, when it comes to a car that's nine years old, it really needs an annual inspection. I've been through it several times—skipping checks on an aging car can lead to big problems. Generally, new cars are exempt from inspection for the first six years, only requiring a label renewal. But starting from the seventh year, you need an annual on-site inspection to check critical areas like brakes, lights, and emissions. I’ve seen many friends skip it out of laziness, only to nearly cause serious accidents due to brake failure. The inspection is actually simple and affordable—just half a day and a few hundred bucks. Remember to book in advance to avoid the end-of-month rush. Proper maintenance keeps your car running longer. Pay attention to unusual noises while driving, and don’t skimp on repairs—safety first. The inspection can also uncover hidden issues like tire wear or engine carbon buildup, which are cheaper to fix early. In short, annual inspections do more good than harm, keeping your car in top shape for worry-free driving.
