How often should a five-seater car undergo annual inspection?
3 Answers
Annual inspection regulations for five-seater cars: exempt from inspection within 6 years; for vehicles over 6 years but less than 10 years old, inspection is required every two years; for vehicles over 10 years but less than 15 years old, annual inspection is required; for vehicles over 15 years old, inspection is required every 6 months. For commercial vehicles, inspection is required annually within 5 years; for vehicles over 5 years old, inspection is required every 6 months. For vehicles that fail the annual inspection, repairs must be completed within a specified period. If the vehicle still fails after the deadline, the vehicle management office will confiscate its license plates and prohibit further driving. Vehicles that do not participate in the annual inspection without reason or fail the inspection are not allowed to drive on the road or transfer ownership. Vehicles that meet the scrapping conditions or have exceeded the specified service life will not be inspected, and their license plates will be revoked, records canceled, and the vehicles will be scrapped. Annual inspection content: Check whether the engine, chassis, body, and attached equipment are clean, complete, and effective; whether the paint surface is uniform and aesthetically pleasing; whether major assemblies have been replaced and match the initial inspection records; Test whether the vehicle's braking performance, steering control, lights, exhaust, and other safety performance meet the requirements of the "Technical Conditions for Safe Operation of Motor Vehicles"; Check whether the vehicle has been modified, remodeled, or altered; whether the driving license, license plates, and vehicle registration records match the actual condition of the vehicle; whether any changes have been approved and documented; Check whether the license plates, driving license, and enlarged license plate markings on the vehicle are damaged, altered, or illegible, and whether replacement is needed; For large vehicles, check whether the unit name or the name of the street, township, or town where the vehicle is located and the maximum seating capacity in the cab are printed in Chinese imitation Song font on both sides of the doors as required; For trucks, check whether the rear tailgate (including the rear tailgate of trailers) has the vehicle number enlarged 2-3 times as required; for individually or jointly owned vehicles, check whether the word "individual" is printed on both sides of the doors. The markings must be clear, and unit codes or other patterns are not allowed (special cases require approval from the vehicle management office). Conditions for vehicles exempt from inspection for 6 years: The vehicle must be non-commercial; the approved seating capacity must be 9 or fewer. Starting from November 20, 2020, non-commercial small and micro passenger vehicles with 7-9 seats (excluding minivans) are included in the exemption scope; the vehicle type specified on the driving license must be: sedan (mini, small, medium, large), mini ordinary passenger vehicle, mini off-road passenger vehicle, small ordinary passenger vehicle, small off-road passenger vehicle, small special passenger vehicle; vehicles that have not been registered for more than 4 years since the date of manufacture are excluded; vehicles must meet the above conditions and must not have been involved in any fatal accidents during the exemption period.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience driving five-seater vehicles, I've personally witnessed the changes in annual inspection regulations. For the first six years after a new car is registered, you only need to apply for the inspection compliance mark on the Traffic Management 12123 APP every two years, without actual testing, which is very convenient. This was my experience with my first car, and I found it quite hassle-free at the time. However, once the car is between six to ten years old, you must visit the inspection station every two years for on-site checks, including items like lights and brakes. After ten years, the risk increases, and annual inspections become mandatory. If you continue to use the car beyond fifteen years, inspections are required every six months to ensure safety. I think this system is good because older cars have more potential hazards, such as aging circuits or brake failures. Regular maintenance shouldn't be neglected—I always remind myself to change the oil and check the tires periodically to avoid issues during inspections. As a veteran driver, I advise newcomers not to just focus on the deadlines; safe driving is the most important. Compared to seven-seater vehicles, five-seater family cars have more lenient rules, but the same regulations must be followed.
I bought my first five-seater SUV less than three years ago, and as a young car owner, I find it quite hassle-free. For the first six years, I just need to use my phone's Alipay every two years to instantly receive the electronic inspection sticker without any queuing, saving both time and effort. Research shows that after six years, the vehicle requires a biennial on-site inspection. Although it's a bit troublesome, I understand—older cars have higher accident risks, so safety comes first. I plan to book an inspection station appointment in advance then, spending some time to ensure the lights and brakes pass smoothly. By the way, five-seaters follow the same rules, but modifications or overloading may trigger additional checks. As a young driver, I rely on app reminders to avoid missing deadlines. I also pay attention to vehicle conditions, like regularly cleaning headlights to improve inspection efficiency. With heavy traffic and hidden dangers on the road, timely annual inspections protect both myself and others—don’t brush it off. Remember this simple cycle: breeze through the first six years with sticker renewals, then buckle down for tighter intervals afterward.
