Does a car that has been in an accident affect future annual inspections?
2 Answers
According to relevant laws and regulations in China, before applying for an annual inspection, the owner of a motor vehicle must settle all traffic violations and accidents related to the vehicle. Therefore, failure to resolve traffic accidents will prevent the vehicle from passing the annual inspection. Vehicle Annual Inspection: Vehicle annual inspection refers to a mandatory test that every vehicle with official license plates and registration must undergo. It is equivalent to an annual health check-up for the vehicle conducted in accordance with the "Technical Conditions for Motor Vehicle Operation Safety." Handling Violations Promptly: At the inquiry window, obtain and fill out the "Motor Vehicle Regular Inspection Registration Form," which can be collected with the vehicle registration certificate. After completing the form, submit it to the staff to check for any violation records. If there are no issues, the form will be stamped with "Verified, Eligible for Inspection." If violations are found, handle them promptly with the violation notice.
My previous car had been in an accident, and I was quite nervous when I took it for the annual inspection after repairs. The inspector found that the headlight angles were off during the check, saying it was due to improperly adjusted suspension after the accident, causing excessive light scattering. It took most of the day to adjust and pass. The annual inspection includes brake testing, exhaust emissions, and safety structure checks. If an accident-damaged car isn’t properly repaired, issues can arise—like a deformed frame affecting the body strength test and causing it to fail. My takeaway is that after an accident, you must go to a professional repair shop for thorough fixes and keep the invoices as proof of repairs for the inspection. Also, regularly maintain the suspension and lighting systems to avoid hidden risks. Annual inspections for accident-damaged cars do add some hassle, but with proper maintenance, it’s manageable. Now, my new car runs smoothly—I’ve learned my lesson.
