How often should a passenger car be inspected after 6 years?
4 Answers
For passenger cars, the inspection frequency is once a year after 6 years, once every 2 years within the first 6 years, and twice a year after 15 years. Annual inspection refers to a comprehensive safety check conducted every year or every two years, covering aspects such as the horn, brakes, axle weight, chassis, ignition system, lighting system, exhaust system, and license plate installation. According to Article 16 of the Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China, motor vehicles must undergo safety technical inspections according to the following schedule from the date of registration: 1. For commercial passenger vehicles, inspections are required once a year within the first 5 years, and once every 6 months after 5 years; 2. For trucks and large or medium-sized non-commercial passenger vehicles, inspections are required once a year within the first 10 years, and once every 6 months after 10 years.
I just went through the annual inspection cycle for my car, and the rules changed after 6 years. For the first 6 years, new cars only need to apply for a free inspection sticker every two years, but in the 6th year, they must undergo an on-site test for emissions, brakes, and other items. That time, I spent almost the whole day waiting in line at the inspection station to get it done. Then, the inspector told me that I’d have to come back two years later, in the 8th year, and again two years after that, in the 10th year, for another on-site test. Essentially, after 6 years, you have to visit the inspection station every two years, which is quite a hassle. However, in the 7th and 9th years, no on-site test is required—just a few clicks on the traffic management app 12123 to renew the electronic sticker. This policy was actually updated in 2020; before that, cars had to undergo annual on-site inspections after 6 years. Oh, and after 10 years, it gets even stricter: yearly on-site inspections are mandatory, and for cars older than 15 years, inspections are required every six months. Be sure to check the date on your vehicle registration to avoid penalties for overdue inspections.
My uncle's Corolla is exactly in its 7th year now. He just completed the 6th-year on-road inspection last year. According to the new regulations, after the first on-road inspection when a passenger vehicle reaches 6 years, the inspection report will clearly indicate that the next inspection is due in two years (i.e., the 8th year). I checked the traffic regulations for him: between 6-10 years, there should be three on-road inspections in total - at the 6th, 8th, and 10th years, with two-year intervals between each. The intermediate years (7th and 9th) are hassle-free - just a three-minute application for the electronic label via the 12123 app. I remember during last year's inspection, his headlights failed the test, and he had to spend 300 yuan replacing the bulbs on the spot to pass. It's advisable to check wear-prone components like lights and brake pads before the inspection. Otherwise, getting held up like my uncle did and having to rebook and queue again would waste too much time.
I'm familiar with the vehicle annual inspection cycle. Take the most common 5-seat private car as an example: For the first 6 years, you need to collect the inspection-exempt label every two years (no need for on-site inspection); Starting from the 6th year, it enters a new phase - that year requires an on-site inspection; After that, the inspection interval becomes biennial, meaning on-site inspections are required at the 8th and 10th years respectively; Vehicles older than 10 years require annual on-site inspections. Simple mnemonic: The 6-year mark is the watershed, remember the numbers 6,7,8,10 for on-site inspections (actually inspections at years 6, 8, and 10 - with 2-year intervals between 6-8 and 8-10). No need to visit inspection stations in the 7th and 9th years - just renew the label via mobile app. Before on-site inspection, it's recommended to replace aging lights and fix error codes, otherwise repairs like catalytic converter replacement for excessive emissions could cost over a thousand yuan. Inspection fees vary between 200-400 RMB across regions, don't forget to bring a fire extinguisher and warning triangle.
