Does a passenger car that has just turned 6 years old this year require an annual inspection?
2 Answers
A passenger car that has just turned 6 years old this year requires an annual inspection. Vehicle inspection time standards: Operational passenger vehicles must be inspected once a year within 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 10 years; after 10 years, they must be inspected every 6 months. Small and mini non-operational passenger vehicles must be inspected once every 2 years within 6 years; after 6 years, once a year; after 15 years, every 6 months. Exemption policy: Family vehicles with 6 seats or fewer enjoy a 6-year exemption policy. The prerequisite for the 6-year exemption is that no major traffic accidents occur during this period. If an accident occurs, an on-site inspection is mandatory. Vehicles with 7 seats or more do not enjoy the 6-year exemption policy and must still be inspected once every 2 years for the first 6 years.
My car just turned six years old last month, so I went for the annual inspection. In the first five years, I only needed to get the inspection sticker online every two years without an on-site check. But starting from the sixth year, I have to drive to the inspection station annually to get the lights, brakes, and emissions tested, which takes some time. The process is actually quite quick—just bring the vehicle license and insurance policy. During my last inspection, they found the right headlight was a bit dim, and the mechanic adjusted it for free. If you skip the inspection and get caught driving, you could face fines and penalty points. More importantly, as the car ages, brake issues can arise, posing serious safety risks. So, I suggest you book an inspection as soon as possible. The fee is usually around 100-200 RMB, which is much cheaper than dealing with accident losses. Remember, safety comes first—don’t delay. Otherwise, your insurance might also become invalid, which isn’t worth it. Just find some free time to get it done and drive with peace of mind.
