How often should a new 5-seater vehicle undergo an annual inspection?
2 Answers
According to Article 16 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law": Non-operational 5-seater vehicles are exempt from inspection for the first six years, then require inspection every two years from six to ten years, and annual inspections for vehicles over ten years old. Vehicles over 15 years old must undergo inspection every six months. For operational 5-seater vehicles, inspections are required annually within the first five years and every six months thereafter. Documents needed for the vehicle inspection include the vehicle's license, valid compulsory insurance policy, the owner's ID card, and all traffic violation records must be cleared in advance. Additional notes: Trucks and large/medium non-operational passenger vehicles require annual inspections within the first ten years and every six months thereafter. Motorcycles require inspection every two years within the first four years and annually thereafter. Vehicle inspections mainly include the following items: Exterior inspection: Primarily checks vehicle lights, body appearance, suspension, sunroof, and tires. It verifies if the lights are functioning properly, if there are any non-working lights, if the body color has been altered, and if the suspension has been modified. Emissions test: Ensures that the vehicle's tailpipe emissions meet national standards during high-speed operation. On-road test: Mainly examines the vehicle's braking system, headlights, horn, and chassis. Violation check: All traffic violation records must be resolved before the inspection to pass. Vehicle inspections can be conducted up to 90 days in advance but must not be overdue. According to Article 47, Paragraph 4 of the "Motor Vehicle Registration Management Measures," failure to conduct a safety inspection within the specified period may result in a warning or fine from the traffic management authorities, and the inspection can only proceed after paying the fine. Consequences of not undergoing inspection include: Vehicles that fail to undergo inspection on time are not allowed on the road. Driving an uninspected vehicle incurs a 3-point penalty and a fine. If an uninspected vehicle is involved in an accident, the owner bears full or primary liability, and insurance will not cover the damages. Driving an uninspected vehicle is considered illegal and may result in vehicle impoundment.
I remember feeling quite confused about the annual inspection when I bought my first 5-seater new car. After understanding the policies, I found the current regulations quite user-friendly: new cars are exempt from on-site inspections for the first 6 years, but you need to apply for the exemption label online via the Traffic Management 12123 APP every 2 years. The process is simple and takes just a few minutes, and you can also check for traffic violations. After 6 years, you'll need to drive to the inspection station for a vehicle check every 2 years. This design saves everyone time from queuing while ensuring vehicles don't exceed limits. From my personal experience, make sure to handle it on time, otherwise, there could be fines or penalty points for overdue inspections. For new cars, paying extra attention to the lights and tires can help maintain a smooth exemption period.
