Does Car Interior Modification Affect Annual Inspection?
2 Answers
Annual inspection refers to the annual or biennial safety inspection of a vehicle, which includes a comprehensive check of components such as the horn, brakes, axle weight, chassis, ignition system, lighting system, exhaust system, license plate installation, and more. Generally, modifications to the car interior do not affect the annual inspection. Here are some key points to note during the annual inspection: 1. Before the vehicle undergoes the exhaust emission test, check the emissions at mobile inspection stations during operation on relevant environmental websites. 2. Enhance the inspection of fuel tank safety by increasing pressure checks on the fuel tank cap and fuel inlet. 3. For diesel vehicles, in addition to the free acceleration method for exhaust emission testing, a load deceleration test is added. If the wheel-side power is less than 40% of the rated power, the vehicle will be deemed unqualified. 4. During the exhaust emission test, OBD dynamic monitoring will be used throughout the process. This involves plugging the device into the vehicle's computer data connection port under the steering wheel. If there is any fault alarm related to exhaust emissions or if the OBD cannot connect properly to the vehicle's computer, the vehicle will be judged as failing the exhaust emission test.
I previously modified the interior, mainly replacing the seats with genuine leather and changing the carpets, and the annual inspection passed smoothly. Minor interior modifications like seat covers, steering wheel wraps, and audio systems generally don’t affect the annual inspection as long as they don’t compromise safety or alter the vehicle’s structure. However, altering seat positions or adding extra seats might violate regulations and lead to inspection failure. Once, a friend upgraded the audio system, but it blocked the rearview mirror’s visibility and was required to be restored. It’s advisable to consult the local vehicle management office for specific rules and choose reputable modification shops—avoid cheap, low-quality materials to prevent safety hazards. Remember, minor tweaks are fine, but major modifications require caution.
