Does a newly purchased car require an annual inspection?
3 Answers
A newly purchased car does not require an annual inspection. New cars are exempt from inspection for the first 6 years, but you need to go to the vehicle management office every 2 years to apply for a sticker and emblem. Normally, an annual inspection involves going to an inspection station for a vehicle check (lights, tires, emissions, etc.), and then obtaining the inspection emblem after the vehicle passes the inspection. However, new cars benefit from the "6-year exemption" policy, which essentially means that the vehicle inspection part is waived, and you can directly apply for the inspection emblem. Regulations: Operational passenger vehicles must be inspected once a year within the first 5 years; after 5 years, they must be inspected every 6 months. Trucks and large or medium-sized non-operational passenger vehicles must be inspected once a year within the first 10 years; after 10 years, they must be inspected once every 6 months. Small and mini non-operational passenger vehicles must be inspected once every 2 years within the first 6 years; after 6 years, once a year; and after 15 years, once every 6 months. Notes: The annual inspection is divided into two parts. The first part involves going to an inspection station for a vehicle check (lights, tires, emissions, etc.), while the second part is simply collecting the annual inspection emblem.
I also pondered this when buying a car, quite interesting indeed. For new vehicles under normal circumstances, the first six years are indeed exempt from formal annual inspection at testing stations, only requiring applying for an inspection decal every two years to display. This is called the six-year exemption policy in regulations. Don't underestimate this—it saves a lot of hassle and time. However, there might be regional differences, like Beijing or Shanghai possibly having additional environmental requirements. Although no station visit is needed, I recommend owners periodically check lights, tires, and brakes themselves—new cars are in good condition, but prevention is key. Also, don't forget to get the decal on time, or the police might issue a ticket. Overall, while enjoying your new car, just stay slightly attentive to handle this matter easily.
I was really excited when I just got my new car and asked the sales consultant this question. He explained that new cars are basically exempt from on-site inspections for the first six years, and you just need to apply for a label online every two years, which is quite a friendly policy. This doesn't mean you can ignore everything. I still check small details like the wipers and mirrors when I drive. It's true that new cars are highly reliable, but for safety, it's definitely worth developing the habit of checking the car's condition once a month. If friends ask, I'll share this experience to prevent misunderstandings that exemption from inspection means zero supervision. In short, enjoy driving your new car, and paying attention to small details will ensure a smooth transition.
