How often should vehicles older than 6 years undergo inspection?
3 Answers
According to the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China", non-commercial vehicles older than 6 years must undergo inspection every two years for vehicles aged 6 to 10 years. Vehicles older than 10 years require annual inspection, while those exceeding 15 years must be inspected every six months. Commercial vehicles older than 6 years must be inspected every six months. Documents required for vehicle annual inspection include the vehicle's registration certificate, valid compulsory traffic insurance policy, the owner's ID card, and all traffic violation records must be cleared in advance. Additional notes: Trucks and large/medium-sized non-commercial passenger vehicles must be inspected annually within the first 10 years, and every six months thereafter. Motorcycles must be inspected every two years within the first 4 years, and annually after exceeding 4 years. According to the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China", vehicle annual inspection mainly includes the following items: Exterior inspection: Mainly checks vehicle lights, body appearance, suspension, sunroof, and tires. It verifies if lights are functioning properly, if there are any non-working lights, if the vehicle body has been repainted, and if the suspension has been modified. Emission test: Checks whether the vehicle's tailpipe emissions meet national standards during high-speed operation. On-line inspection: Primarily examines the vehicle's braking system, headlights, horn, and chassis. Violation check: All traffic violation records must be cleared before the annual inspection to pass. Vehicle annual inspection can be conducted up to 90 days in advance but must not be overdue. According to the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China", consequences of overdue inspection include: Vehicles that fail to undergo inspection on time are not allowed on the road. Driving an overdue vehicle results in 3 penalty points and a 200 RMB fine. If an accident occurs involving a vehicle that has not undergone inspection, the responsible party bears full or primary liability, and insurance companies will not cover the damages. Driving an overdue vehicle is considered illegal and may result in vehicle impoundment.
I just helped a friend with the annual inspection, so I'm quite familiar with the process. Vehicles over 6 years old need to undergo on-site testing, and for the first 10 years, it's still required every two years. For example, at the end of last year, my 7-year-old SUV had to go to the inspection station, where they checked the exhaust emissions, brakes, and lights. I'd like to remind you to clear all traffic violations before the annual inspection and bring your vehicle license and compulsory traffic insurance policy. If you have an older car in poor condition, it's advisable to get a full inspection done beforehand to avoid repeated trips to the inspection station. By the way, some cities now offer online appointments, which can save you from waiting in line.
My own car, which has been running for 8 years, just passed the inspection. After six years, vehicles need to visit the inspection station every two years. The key is to time it right—for example, inspections are required in the sixth, eighth, and tenth years, and after the fifteenth year, it becomes an annual check. Recently, when I went to the inspection station, the staff mentioned that the equipment has been upgraded, with a focus on checking the OBD system and exhaust emissions. Minor issues like faulty brake lights or abnormal tire pressure should be fixed beforehand. Also, don’t forget to renew the compulsory traffic insurance, or the system won’t have a record, making the trip pointless. Using unauthorized agents for inspection carries risks—it’s better to stick to official channels for peace of mind.
