How Long Can a Vehicle Overdue for Annual Inspection Be Before Mandatory Scrapping?
3 Answers
Vehicles that fail to obtain the mandatory inspection compliance mark within three consecutive inspection cycles after the expiration of the inspection validity period will be subject to mandatory scrapping. Differences between recommended scrapping and mandatory scrapping: Recommended scrapping suggests disposal, but if the vehicle still meets the requirements for continued use, it may not be scrapped. There are four criteria for mandatory scrapping: Reaching the prescribed service life; After repair and adjustment, still failing to meet the national safety technical standards for in-use vehicles; After repair, adjustment, or adoption of control technology, still failing to meet national standards for pollutant emissions or noise from in-use vehicles; Failing to obtain the mandatory inspection compliance mark within three consecutive inspection cycles after the expiration of the inspection validity period.
I recently missed my annual vehicle inspection deadline and was really worried my car would be immediately scrapped, so I checked the regulations. The truth is, missing the deadline won't lead to immediate scrapping, but you'll face fines and penalty points - for example, a 200 yuan fine and 3 penalty points if overdue by less than three months. If you fail to inspect your car for three consecutive inspection cycles (about 2-3 years), your vehicle may be forcibly deregistered and scrapped. I've also heard that overdue cars pose greater safety risks, with aging tires and brakes increasing accident risks, and insurance may refuse claims. So now I've set up phone reminders for the inspection date to avoid forgetting again. Regular maintenance can also reduce the risk of overdue inspections. I advise all car owners not to delay this matter - safety first and saving money are both important.
Having driven for half my life, I've seen too many cases of overdue inspections. The regulations clearly state that vehicles are not immediately scrapped for being overdue, but each overdue instance incurs a fine and deducts a few points. The key point is that if a vehicle fails to pass the annual inspection for three consecutive cycles—typically one cycle per year, totaling three years—it will be forcibly scrapped and deregistered. In practice, traffic police won't handle it immediately, but don't push your luck. Regular maintenance and timely annual inspections at testing stations save you fines and ensure safety. I've also seen a friend pass a belated inspection after a year with no major issues, but prolonged neglect increases the risk of mechanical failures.
