How Often Should a Passenger Car Undergo Inspection?
4 Answers
For new vehicles within 6 years, an inspection is required every two years. Vehicles older than 6 years must be inspected annually, while those exceeding 15 years require inspection every 6 months. The inspection standards for other vehicle types are as follows: 1. Operational passenger vehicles must be inspected annually within the first 5 years and every 6 months thereafter. 2. Trucks, as well as large and medium-sized non-operational passenger vehicles, require annual inspection within the first 10 years and every 6 months thereafter. 3. Small and mini non-operational passenger vehicles must be inspected every 2 years within the first 6 years, annually thereafter, and every 6 months after 15 years. 4. Motorcycles must be inspected every 2 years within the first 4 years and annually thereafter. 5. Tractors and other motor vehicles require annual inspection.
I was just over 20 when I bought my car and knew nothing about vehicle inspections. Later, a friend told me that car inspections are phased: for the first six years, it's every two years, which is quite easy. From six to ten years, it becomes an annual requirement, which is a bit of a hassle. For cars older than ten years, you have to visit the vehicle management office every six months, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. I think this policy is for safety reasons, as car parts age quickly with prolonged use, and inspections can check brakes, lights, etc., to avoid potential hazards. My old car is now nine years old, and for each inspection, I have to make an appointment in advance and also do some maintenance, which saves money and gives peace of mind. I suggest everyone understand these details when buying a car, so they don’t panic like I did at first.
After years of driving, I've summarized the car inspection cycle: for the first six years after a new car hits the road, it's inspected every two years, which is easy and worry-free; between six to ten years, it needs an annual inspection—don't forget to bring the relevant documents; after exceeding ten years, it must be inspected every six months. This rule is mandatory according to national standards because as cars age, their engines and chassis are prone to issues. My neighbor's car, which is over ten years old, gets inspected every six months, and he says the focus is on exhaust emissions and the lighting system. It's recommended to cooperate with repair shops for regular maintenance, such as checking the car when changing the oil every six months, to avoid problems during inspections.
The inspection frequency for small cars depends on the vehicle age: new cars within six years require inspection every two years, those over six years need annual inspections, and older cars over ten years require semi-annual inspections. This design is quite reasonable, as small cars become more prone to issues like brake failure or electrical faults as they age, and early inspections help identify potential hazards. From personal experience, it's best not to wait until the last minute—handling the inspection one or two weeks in advance speeds up the process at the DMV. The related costs are not high, usually around 100 yuan per inspection, but the time saved makes it worthwhile.
