How often should a car undergo annual inspection?
4 Answers
Small and micro non-operational passenger vehicles are exempt from inspection for the first 6 years. For vehicles over 6 years but less than 10 years old, inspection is required every two years. For vehicles over 15 years old, inspection is required every 6 months. Operational passenger vehicles must be inspected annually within the first 5 years, and every 6 months thereafter. Annual inspection includes: checking whether the engine, chassis, body, and auxiliary equipment are clean, complete, and functional; whether the paint is uniform and aesthetically pleasing; whether major assemblies have been replaced and if they match the initial inspection records; verifying if the vehicle's braking system, steering control, lights, exhaust, and other safety features comply with the "Technical Conditions for Safe Operation of Motor Vehicles"; checking if the vehicle has been modified or altered, and whether the driving license, license plate, and vehicle records match the current condition, including any changes or required approval and modification procedures; inspecting the license plate, driving license, and enlarged license plate markings for damage, tampering, or illegibility, and determining if replacement is needed; for large vehicles, verifying if the unit name or the street, township, or town name and the maximum seating capacity in the driver's compartment are correctly printed in Chinese imitation Song font on both sides of the door; for trucks, checking if the rear tailgate (including the trailer's rear tailgate) displays the license number enlarged 2-3 times as required, and for individual or joint-venture vehicles, if the word "individual" is printed on both sides of the door; all markings must be clear, and no unit codes or other patterns are allowed (special cases require approval from the vehicle management office). Consequences of not attending the annual inspection on time: Vehicles that fail to undergo annual inspection on time are not allowed on the road; driving an uninspected vehicle will result in 3 penalty points and a fine; in the event of a traffic accident, the driver of an uninspected vehicle will bear full or primary responsibility, and the insurance company will not compensate; driving without timely inspection is considered illegal and may lead to vehicle impoundment; according to the "Compulsory Scrapping Standards for Motor Vehicles," vehicles that fail to obtain an inspection qualification mark for three consecutive inspection periods after the expiration of the inspection validity period will be forcibly scrapped.
I've been driving for almost 20 years and am quite familiar with the annual vehicle inspection process. For the first six years after purchasing a new car, you generally don't need to go through on-site testing, but you must apply for an inspection sticker every two years. Nowadays, many places allow you to apply for electronic stickers directly through mobile apps, saving a lot of hassle. After six years but before ten years, you'll need to visit an inspection station every two years for on-site checks. They'll examine the braking safety system, whether the lights are functioning properly, and if the exhaust emissions meet standards. If your vehicle is over ten years old, it must be inspected annually. My family's car is in its eighth year, so we're preparing for biennial inspections. Each inspection takes about half a day in line, but it's worth it for safety. Don't delay—missing the inspection could result in a fine of several hundred yuan, affect your vehicle license renewal, and even void your insurance coverage in case of an accident. I recommend setting a phone reminder in advance to avoid last-minute chaos.
As a new car owner, I find the frequency of vehicle inspections quite user-friendly. For the first six years, new cars don't need to undergo on-site inspections, just apply for the inspection sticker every two years. It's simple and hassle-free—I just filled out the information on the official website and got it done. After the sixth year, the car needs a formal inspection every two years, mainly checking the brakes, headlight brightness, and whether the exhaust emissions meet standards. My car is just over a year old, so I don’t need to go to the inspection station yet. But based on a friend’s experience, he has to queue for a long time every two years when inspections start, and sometimes fails, requiring repairs before retesting. It’s best to do regular maintenance rather than wait for major repairs during inspections. Delaying inspections can result in fines or even affect driving records, so I’ve set calendar reminders to avoid this. Additionally, inspection stations usually provide small stickers indicating the valid date, making it easy to remember the next inspection deadline.
The interval for vehicle annual inspections depends on the car's age: new cars within six years only need to obtain a sticker every two years; between six to ten years, inspections are required every two years; after ten years, an annual inspection is mandatory. These inspections include brake tests, lighting functionality tests, exhaust emission standard checks, etc. The regulations aim to ensure road safety and prevent accidents caused by aging components. If inspections are not done on time, the vehicle will be prohibited from road use, and if caught, fines start at several hundred yuan with penalty points. A professional I know emphasizes checking simple things like whether the lights work and the brake tightness before each inspection to reduce failure rates. Inspection records also affect insurance premiums, so timely handling can save money and hassle. In short, make it a habit to do it on time and avoid delays causing trouble.
