How often should a car over ten years old undergo an annual inspection?

[BriannaRose]

A car over ten years old needs to undergo an annual inspection once a year. If the car has been in use for more than fifteen years, it requires two inspections per year. During the vehicle inspection, the car must be tested on the inspection line, where staff will check the vehicle's chassis, lights, brakes, exterior, and exhaust emissions. If the vehicle's exhaust emissions do not meet the standards, it will not pass the inspection. Vehicle annual inspection refers to the annual examination of vehicles that have already obtained official license plates and registration certificates, conducted in accordance with relevant regulations. The purpose is to check the main technical conditions of the vehicle, encourage enhanced maintenance, ensure the vehicle is always in good condition, and guarantee driving safety.

[TylerDella]

As someone who's driven an old car for twelve years, let me tell you, the policies are much more relaxed now! For vehicles over ten years old, you only need an annual inspection. Pay special attention in the tenth year: the first ten years are exempt from on-site testing, but the tenth year requires one mandatory on-site inspection. From the eleventh year onward, inspections are required every 12 months. My old buddy obediently went to the testing station last year—they checked lights, brakes, and emissions, and any modifications to the body had to be photographed and recorded. Remember to book an appointment in advance via the Traffic Management 12123 app, bring your vehicle license and insurance policy, as older cars often struggle with emissions and brake pad tests. Oh, and even after fifteen years, inspections won't switch to every six months!

[DiLeah]

Last time I took my 2003 Bora for the annual inspection, I noticed a detail: it's true that vehicles over ten years old require an annual inspection, but the tenth year is a critical milestone. For example, if you bought a car in 2013, the first inspection would be in 2023 (the tenth year), the second inspection in 2024 (the eleventh year), and then every other year after that. The inspection staff told me that older cars most often fail due to insufficient headlight brightness and aging brake hoses. They suggested replacing the bulbs in advance and changing the brake fluid if it hasn't been replaced in two years, which would basically ensure passing the inspection in one go.

[McHailey]

I specialize in refurbishing used cars and have handled many older vehicles. For cars over ten years old, the annual inspection is now calculated by the full year, so be careful not to miss the deadline! For example, if your car's registration date is May 1st and it turns ten this year, you must get it inspected before May. Key checks include the catalytic converter and OBD fault codes—I've seen owners fail due to exhaust leaks. It's best to service older cars in advance. Replace tires with tread depth below 3mm, and window tints with less than 70% light transmittance will also be rejected. Adding a bottle of fuel additive before the test can improve your chances of passing.

[DeAshlyn]

A friend who works at the local DMV shared some practical details with me: Vehicles over ten years old require an annual inspection, but you must strictly follow the registration month listed on the vehicle license. A common pitfall is neglecting the 11th-year inspection—many assume that passing the 10th-year check means they’re done, only to face a ¥200 fine and 3 penalty points for exceeding the deadline in the 11th year. It’s advisable to go one month early to allow time for repairs if the car fails. For older cars, pay special attention to seatbelt functionality, check for oil leaks in the chassis, and note that even a 0.1% shortfall in braking efficiency will result in failure. For lighting, switching to halogen bulbs is recommended, as LEDs are more prone to glare issues.

[SanFernando]

Just completed the annual inspection for my dad's 2009 Corolla: Vehicles over ten years old require annual testing, with the tenth year being the first inspection milestone. Important reminder: This rule also applies to new energy vehicles! Before inspection, be sure to have a repair shop read the fault codes, as many older cars have failed ABS sensors without dashboard warnings. Maintain tire pressure around 2.5, and don't forget the spare tire! Last time, I saw an owner fail the inspection due to missing a spare tire. Costs vary by region; in my third-tier city, the inspection fee is 380 yuan, plus an additional 200 for hiring an agent. It's recommended to queue up at 8 AM, as the entire process takes about two hours.