How to Conduct Annual Inspection for a 9-Year-Old Car?
2 Answers
A 9-year-old car is exempt from on-site inspection in its ninth year, but the owner must still apply for the electronic inspection compliance mark through the "Traffic Management 12123" app on time. According to the latest vehicle inspection regulations, non-operational small and mini passenger vehicles (excluding minivans) over 6 years but under 10 years old will have their inspection cycle relaxed from once a year to once every two years. This means private cars only need to undergo on-site inspection twice within 10 years. Below are the key points to note for vehicle annual inspection: 1. Understand the importance of annual inspection: A vehicle that passes the annual inspection indicates that its technical conditions are good, especially in terms of safety and emission indicators. Trying to "cheat the system" by paying extra money is not only self-deceptive and harmful to oneself and others, but also "not worth the loss". 2. Prepare all required documents: For example, the annual inspection application form must bear the traffic department's seal, company stamp or personal signature with ID card copy, and must include the body chassis and engine's stamped steel seal. Additionally, bring the vehicle registration certificate and insurance policy. Any traffic violation records must be settled, otherwise the inspection will not be processed. 3. Inspection schedule: The new regulations include 7-9 seat non-operational small and mini passenger vehicles (excluding minivans) within 6 years in the exemption range. For vehicles over 6 years but under 10 years, the inspection cycle is relaxed from once a year to once every two years, meaning private cars only need on-site inspection twice within 10 years. Private cars over 10 years but under 15 years require annual inspection, while those over 15 years need inspection every six months.
I just took my family's 9-year-old car for its annual inspection, and the whole process felt quite straightforward but required attention to details. First, you need to prepare copies of the vehicle registration certificate, your original ID card, and the compulsory traffic insurance policy—these documents are essential. Drive to a nearby inspection station and queue up for registration. They'll start with an exterior check, looking for major scratches or rust on the body, and test if the lighting system functions properly. For a 9-year-old car, bulbs are prone to aging, so I replaced mine in advance to avoid retesting. Next comes the brake performance test and exhaust emission inspection. Older cars may have carbon buildup in the exhaust pipes, so I recommend taking a highway drive a few days before the inspection to clear the pipes and improve the pass rate. The entire process takes about 40 minutes to an hour and costs around 60-70 yuan. If passed, you'll receive a compliance sticker to place on the upper right corner of the windshield. Annual inspections ensure the car is safe and reliable, giving you peace of mind while driving, especially when family members are passengers. Don’t forget to self-check tire wear and brake pad thickness during regular maintenance to prevent potential issues.
