How Often Should a New Car Undergo Annual Inspection?
2 Answers
Annual inspection time requirements: Small and micro non-operational passenger vehicles are exempt from inspection for the first 6 years. For vehicles over 6 years but under 10 years, inspection is required every two years; for vehicles over 10 years but under 15 years, annual inspection is required; for vehicles over 15 years, inspection is required every 6 months. Operational passenger vehicles require annual inspection within the first 5 years; for vehicles over 5 years, inspection is required every 6 months. Trucks and large or medium-sized non-operational passenger vehicles require annual inspection within the first 10 years; for vehicles over 10 years, inspection is required every 6 months. Imported vehicles follow the same rules as other vehicle types and can undergo periodic inspection at any testing facility. Notes for annual inspection: Vehicles that fail the annual inspection must be repaired within a specified time limit. If they still fail after the deadline, the vehicle management office should confiscate their license plates and prohibit further driving. Vehicles that do not undergo 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 exceed the prescribed service life will not be inspected, and their license plates will be revoked, records deleted, and the vehicles scrapped.
Getting your new car inspected is actually quite simple these days, as policies have been relaxed for private vehicles. My car just turned three years old, and I specifically checked the regulations: for the first six years, new cars don't need to go through an on-site inspection at all, but you must apply for the exemption mark via the traffic management app 12123 in the second and fourth years. Starting from the sixth year, you'll need to go for an on-site inspection, and then annually after that. A special reminder for those buying used cars: don't just take the previous owner's word that 'it was just inspected'—the clock resets after the transfer. I've seen people fined 200 yuan for forgetting to claim their electronic exemption mark, so setting a reminder on your phone is really helpful. If you drive without a valid inspection and get into an accident, insurance won't cover it. Regular maintenance of key components like brake lights can also make the inspection process smoother.