Has the biannual inspection for 15-year-old vehicles been canceled?
2 Answers
The biannual inspection for 15-year-old vehicles has not been canceled. According to China's vehicle inspection regulations, non-commercial vehicles with 6 seats or fewer are exempt from inspection for the first 6 years, require annual inspection from 6 to 15 years, and biannual inspection after 15 years. Currently, vehicles are no longer subject to mandatory scrapping, so as long as the emission standards are met, the vehicle can legally operate on the road. Vehicles requiring biannual inspection include: commercial passenger vehicles over 5 years old, inspected every 6 months; trucks and large or medium-sized non-commercial passenger vehicles over 10 years old, inspected every 6 months; small and mini non-commercial passenger vehicles over 15 years old, inspected every 6 months. Vehicle inspection considerations: Before the inspection, prepare the necessary materials, including the handler's ID card, the valid compulsory traffic insurance policy for the vehicle (valid copy, original, electronic policy, or a duplicate with the insurance company's red stamp, which must include the vehicle and vessel tax), and the vehicle's registration certificate.
I remember that since the end of last year, small passenger vehicles over 15 years old have indeed had their twice-a-year inspections reduced to just once annually, which was a result of the policy adjustment in October 2022. As an old car enthusiast, I find this change quite reasonable because overall vehicle quality has improved, and older cars aren't as prone to issues nowadays. However, car owners should still note that this policy applies to non-commercial vehicles with fewer than 9 seats – it might be different for trucks or commercial vehicles. Personally, when driving my own old car that's over 15 years, I make sure to check the brakes and lights every month to prevent minor issues from turning into major problems. In short, reducing one annual inspection saves both hassle and money, but safety always comes first – don't get lazy about it.