How often should small cars undergo annual inspection?

[DeIsabella]

For non-commercial white cars purchased for household use (i.e., private cars), inspections are exempted within the first 6 years. Small passenger vehicles do not need to go to the vehicle management station for inspection during this period. However, every two years, the owner must visit the traffic police department to collect the inspection sticker and have it affixed to the driving license. If the vehicle is over 6 years old, it must undergo an annual inspection by the vehicle management office. Below is detailed information about vehicle annual inspections: 1. Overview: Vehicle annual inspection refers to the annual examination of vehicles that have obtained official license plates and vehicle registration certificates, conducted in accordance with the "Technical Conditions for Motor Vehicle Operation Safety". The purpose is to check the main technical conditions of the vehicle, encourage enhanced maintenance, ensure the vehicle remains in good condition, and guarantee driving safety. 2. Others: For passenger vehicles used for commercial purposes, inspections are required once a year within the first 5 years. After exceeding 5 years, inspections are required every 6 months. For trucks and large or medium-sized non-commercial passenger vehicles, inspections are required once a year within the first 10 years. After exceeding 10 years, inspections are required every 6 months. Motor vehicle annual inspections are divided into initial inspections and regular inspections.

[KinsleyDella]

When I bought my car, I had to figure out how often it needed inspection to avoid forgetting. According to the new policy, new cars are exempt from on-site inspection for the first 6 years, but you must apply for the inspection mark every two years, such as through the 12123 Traffic Management APP online, which saves a lot of time. Between 6 to 10 years, the car must undergo on-site inspection at a testing station every two years, checking items like brakes and lights. For cars older than 10 years, annual inspection is required. It's a good habit to set a reminder on your phone—don’t be like me last time when I missed the inspection and got fined 200 yuan. Regular maintenance is also crucial; proper tire pressure makes the inspection easier to pass, saving you from unnecessary trips. It's advisable to familiarize yourself with the policy when you get a new car—it’s safer and more cost-effective.

[LilyRose]

As a buddy who's been driving for over a decade, I reckon the frequency of annual vehicle inspections is directly tied to a car's age. New cars get a relaxed treatment in the first few years—just collect the inspection sticker every two years without any on-site testing. After six years, it's every two years with actual testing, with stricter checks like brake pad wear. Once a car hits the decade mark, it's annual inspections because older vehicles have more potential issues. In practice, doing a quick pre-inspection check on tire pressure and lights can save a lot of hassle. Don't underestimate this—missing an inspection might lead to insurance refusing to cover accident costs. A friend of mine learned this the hard way, shelling out thousands in repair costs for nothing. Bottom line: stay on top of your car's condition and follow the rules, and you'll be golden.

[DeCaden]

Our family car is mainly used for commuting, and the annual inspection schedule is quite particular. For the first 6 years, it's exempt from on-site inspection, just needing to collect the inspection sticker every two years with simple procedures. After 6 years, it requires an actual inspection every two years, and after 10 years, it's an annual inspection. I found that booking an inspection station in advance can save queuing time, and checking the progress via APP is also very convenient. During regular maintenance, I ask the mechanic to check the lighting system to avoid failing the annual inspection. Ignoring the annual inspection will result in fines and affect insurance renewal, which is not worth it.

[NorahDella]

From a safety-first perspective, small car annual inspections must be done on time. The policy states that new cars within 6 years require applying for inspection labels every two years without on-site testing; cars aged 6 to 10 years need biennial physical inspections; cars over 10 years old require annual inspections. Late inspections incur fines of 200 to 500 RMB with high risks of insurance invalidation. Based on my experience, car lights age quickly and may fail inspection standards easily, so I recommend checking them every six months. Don't procrastinate to save trouble - driving an unqualified vehicle increases accident risks on the road.