Does a car need to undergo on-site inspection in its sixth year?
2 Answers
Vehicles in their sixth year require on-site annual inspection. Below is relevant information about vehicle annual inspections: 1. The six-year exemption from inspection applies to non-commercial passenger cars and other small and mini passenger vehicles (excluding vans and vehicles with 7 or more seats), which are exempt from on-site inspection within six years. 2. However, owners still need to periodically apply for the annual inspection sticker. In the second and fourth years after purchasing a new car, owners must bring the vehicle registration certificate and valid compulsory traffic insurance policy to the vehicle management office to apply for the inspection sticker. Alternatively, they can apply for the annual inspection sticker online and choose to have it delivered by courier. 3. Before the sixth-year inspection deadline, owners need to take the vehicle to an inspection station for on-site testing. Upon passing the inspection, they can obtain the annual inspection sticker. If a vehicle fails to obtain a valid inspection sticker within three consecutive inspection cycles after the inspection validity period expires, it will be subject to mandatory scrapping.
I just took my six-year-old car for the mandatory inspection the other day, and I must remind everyone that the sixth-year inspection absolutely requires an on-site check. When I drove my SUV to the testing station, the staff first verified the vehicle license and insurance policy, then I queued up for the inspection. The entire process included exterior checks, chassis inspection, brakes, lights, exhaust emissions, and more, taking up most of the day. Remember to prepare your compulsory traffic insurance policy and vehicle license in advance, and check basic functions like lights and brakes yourself to ensure they're working properly—otherwise, failing the inspection can be a hassle. Also, don’t forget to settle any outstanding traffic violations, or you won’t be able to proceed with the inspection. The inspection fee is around 200-300 RMB, with slight variations depending on the location. My advice? Book an appointment in advance to avoid long queues and unnecessary delays.
