How Often Does a Tesla Need an Annual Inspection?
3 Answers
Vehicles generally require an annual inspection, but the specific frequency depends on the vehicle type. For commercial passenger vehicles, inspections are required once a year within the first five years and every six months thereafter. For small private cars, inspections are required every two years within the first six years, every six months after six years, and every six months once the vehicle reaches 15 years of age. Commercial motor vehicles that pass safety inspections within the prescribed period are exempt from repeated inspections. Additional details: According to Article 16 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law," motor vehicles must undergo safety inspections within the following periods from the date of registration: 1. Commercial passenger vehicles: once a year within the first five years; every six months after five years. 2. Small and micro non-commercial passenger vehicles: once every two years within the first six years; once a year after six years; every six months after 15 years. 3. Motorcycles: once every two years within the first four years; once a year after four years.
Tesla, like other household vehicles, has an annual inspection cycle that primarily depends on the model and usage. For ordinary household sedans, new cars are exempt from on-site inspections within the first 6 years, but an electronic inspection label must be obtained via the Traffic Management 12123 platform every 2 years. For vehicles older than 6 years but less than 10 years, on-site inspections are required every 2 years. For vehicles aged between 10 and 15 years, inspections are required annually. A special reminder: although the annual inspection cycle for green-plate vehicles is the same as that for gasoline vehicles, the inspection items differ. For example, pure electric vehicles focus on the inspection of the three-electric system (battery, motor, and electronic control). During my last annual inspection, I noticed that many electric vehicle owners overlooked potential OBD detection errors, so it's essential to check the battery condition in advance.
Our Model Y has just reached its two-year mark, and we recently applied for the exemption inspection label on the 12123 platform. Here’s a key reminder for EV owners: New vehicles are exempt from on-site inspections for the first 6 years, but you must apply for the exemption inspection label every 2 years! Many people tend to forget this step. Green license plate vehicles should pay special attention to the qualifications of the inspection stations, as some gasoline vehicle inspection lines cannot handle pure electric vehicle items. I previously checked with Tesla’s after-sales service, and they recommended a comprehensive inspection half a day in advance to ensure basic items like lights and brakes are functioning properly. Lastly, even if you drive less frequently, don’t forget the annual inspection time window—otherwise, getting pulled over on the road can be quite troublesome.
