Does modifying car speakers affect the annual inspection?
3 Answers
For new cars, modifying the audio system by only changing the front and rear speakers without adding an amplifier will not affect the annual inspection or warranty. However, if you modify both the front and rear speakers and add an amplifier, it will affect the warranty but not the annual inspection. The purpose of annual inspection: The annual inspection is to determine the technical condition and operational capability of the vehicle, identify the location and cause of any faults. Only after passing the inspection can the vehicle continue to operate or undergo repairs. Precautions for annual inspection: Do not alter the vehicle's appearance or tire size. The actual vehicle must match the photo on the driving license. If the vehicle's appearance has changed, it will not pass the annual inspection.
From the perspective of vehicle inspection standards, modifying the horn is a two-sided issue. National standards only require that the vehicle's horn can produce a continuous and uniform sound, with a volume between 90 and 115 decibels. Therefore, if you simply replace it with a standard brand horn with normal volume and sound quality, without adding special effects like a siren, most inspection stations won't flag it. However, it's important to note that some major cities have strict regulations on horn devices, and modifications like dual-tone horns for police or ambulance use will definitely fail inspection. Before making any changes, it's best to check local supplementary regulations. I've seen many car owners successfully pass their annual inspections after installing snail horns while keeping the original horn position.
Many of my friends who are into car modifications have upgraded their horns, so here's some practical advice. Whether a horn upgrade can pass the annual inspection largely depends on whether you've altered the wiring or added a relay. If you're just swapping in a regular snail horn with a plug-and-play installation and the decibel level is normal, the inspection usually won't bother you. However, those air horns with flashing lights are a definite no-go, as they directly fall under illegal modifications. The safest approach is to keep the original horn wiring harness intact and have a mechanic check the decibel level after the upgrade to ensure it doesn't exceed the limit. Last year, I installed a dual-tone snail horn from a certain brand, and during the inspection, the staff just stood there listening to the sound without even opening the hood for a closer look.
