How often should a vehicle be inspected?
2 Answers
Here are the specific regulations for vehicle annual inspection intervals: 1. Passenger transport vehicles: Inspect once per year within the first 5 years; inspect every 6 months after exceeding 5 years. 2. Trucks and large/medium non-passenger transport vehicles: Inspect once per year within the first 10 years; inspect every 6 months after exceeding 10 years. 3. Small and mini non-passenger transport vehicles: Inspect once every 2 years within the first 6 years; inspect once per year after exceeding 6 years; inspect every 6 months after exceeding 15 years. 4. Inspection exemption policy: Family vehicles with 6 seats or fewer enjoy a 6-year inspection exemption. The prerequisite for this 6-year exemption is that no major traffic accidents occur during this period. If an accident occurs, an on-site inspection is mandatory. Vehicles with 7 seats or more do not qualify for the 6-year exemption policy and still require inspection every 2 years during the first 6 years.
I remember when my car was new, I didn't need any physical inspection for the first two years—just applying for the inspection sticker via an app every two years. It was hassle-free and convenient. However, once the car reached six years old, it required an on-site inspection at the testing station every two years to check the lights, brakes, emissions, etc., to prevent issues from aging. For cars over 10 years old, an annual inspection is mandatory, and those over 15 years old face even stricter rules—requiring inspections every six months to ensure safety. These are all legal requirements under China's traffic laws, aimed at preventing accidents. Last time, my car's inspection revealed severely worn brake pads, and timely repairs saved me from potential trouble. I recommend booking an inspection station appointment online in advance—just bring your vehicle license, and the queue moves quickly. The cost is only around a hundred yuan, so don’t delay and risk getting a fine. Also, discussing this during regular maintenance can save you some time.
