Does a car purchased in 2016 require an annual inspection in 2021?
2 Answers
A car purchased in 2016 does not require an annual inspection in 2021. According to the current regulations for small vehicle inspections, vehicles are exempt from inspection for the first six years, meaning they do not need to undergo an on-site inspection, but they must obtain an inspection sticker every two years. Below is relevant information about vehicle annual inspections: Vehicle annual inspection schedule: For passenger cars and blue-license minivans, within the first six years after registration, inspections are required every two years; after six years, inspections are required annually; after ten years, inspections are required once a year, and after fifteen years, inspections are required twice a year. For trucks, inspections are required annually after registration, and after ten years, inspections are required twice a year. Vehicle annual inspection regulations: If a vehicle is found by traffic police to have not undergone an annual inspection while on the road, the owner may be fined or the vehicle may be impounded. Additionally, in insurance contracts, vehicles that have not undergone timely inspections are considered unqualified, and in the event of an accident, the insurance will not provide compensation.
As an avid car enthusiast who frequently shares on automotive forums, I can tell you that a car purchased in 2016 typically does not require an annual inspection in 2021. According to China's policy, new cars are exempt from on-site inspections for the first six years after purchase, but must apply for an inspection decal every two years, specifically in the 2nd and 4th years after registration. For a car registered in 2016, the 2nd year would be 2018 for decal application, the 4th year would be 2020, and 2021 is the 5th year—neither requiring an on-site inspection nor a decal application. You can safely wait until 2022, the 6th year after registration, to go to the DMV for the first on-site inspection. In the meantime, pay attention to your vehicle's condition, such as lights and brakes, and regular maintenance can save you a lot of hassle, preventing last-minute issues that could affect safety.
