Does adding a small body kit affect the annual inspection?
3 Answers
Adding a small body kit does affect the annual inspection, as it constitutes an alteration to the vehicle's appearance and technical modifications. The vehicle must be restored to its original state to pass the annual inspection. Vehicle annual inspection refers to a mandatory examination for all vehicles that have obtained official license plates and registration certificates. It is equivalent to an annual health check-up for the vehicle based on the safety technical requirements for motor vehicle operation. The purpose of the annual inspection is to promptly eliminate potential safety hazards, encourage better vehicle maintenance, and reduce the occurrence of traffic accidents. The annual inspection involves a comprehensive safety check of the vehicle, either annually or biennially, covering aspects such as the horn, brakes, axle weight, chassis, ignition system, lighting system, exhaust system, license plate installation, and more.
As someone who frequently modifies vehicles, adding small body kits can indeed affect annual inspections, especially in terms of safety. If the small body kit is improperly installed—for instance, if the protruding parts are too long or the material is too brittle—it can become a hazard in a collision. During the annual inspection, the inspector will pay close attention to whether the lights or license plate positions are obstructed or if the vehicle dimensions exceed the standard. Regulations require that the vehicle's exterior shape cannot be altered arbitrarily; otherwise, the inspection may fail. I recommend checking local regulations before modification, using certified products, and ensuring the body kit does not affect the original vehicle structure. In most cases, owners who overlook this end up spending a lot of money on reinstallation or fines, which is not worth it. Remember, safety comes first—don't let aesthetics become a hazard.
When I first bought my car, I installed a small body kit thinking it was just for looks, but it caused issues during the annual inspection. The inspector said the edges of the kit were too sharp and didn’t meet the standards, so I had to remove it to pass. At the time, I chose a cheap one, and during installation, I didn’t pay attention to the fit—it rattled as soon as I drove. My experience taught me to buy a high-quality body kit, measure carefully to avoid exceeding limits, and preferably have it installed by professionals while taking photos for documentation. This way, you’ll face fewer issues during inspections and save yourself the hassle and extra costs, unlike my ordeal.
