Does adding fog lights to a sedan affect vehicle inspection?
2 Answers
Adding fog lights to a sedan does not affect the vehicle inspection. Vehicle modifications must adhere to: 1. Not altering the vehicle's distinctive features; 2. Not modifying the vehicle's power system and safety structure. Installing fog lights is also part of the modification. As long as the installation does not breach legal boundaries or exploit legal loopholes, it is not illegal. Owners who install original fog lights for safety reasons will not face issues during the annual inspection, and such behavior should be encouraged. In fact, the inspection of vehicle lights during the annual check is not overly precise but falls within a normal range. Generally, as long as the brightness, angle, and structure of the original fog lights are not altered, and no fog lights of other colors are installed, it will not affect the inspection.
I've seen many cars fail inspections after installing fog lights, mainly because they didn't follow the standards. Adding fog lights can improve safety in rainy or foggy conditions, but it must be registered with the vehicle management office to be compliant. The registration process is simple: bring the vehicle registration certificate, ID card, and installation proof, fill out the form for modification application, and the fee is usually just a few dozen yuan. Once approved, it will pass the annual inspection. If not registered, the lighting inspection may flag it as an illegal modification—ranging from being asked to remove it to failing the inspection entirely, which wastes time and could result in fines. I recommend having it installed by a professional shop to ensure proper positioning and brightness, without affecting the original lights or visibility. This way, it's safe, practical, and legal. Even minor modifications should follow the rules—don't cut corners and risk trouble, as getting caught could lead to bigger headaches.