
6-seater vehicles are exempt from inspection for 6 years. According to regulations: non-operational passenger cars and other small, passenger vehicles (excluding vans and vehicles with 7 or more seats) within 6 years of initial registration are exempt from inspection. After the 6-year period, starting from the 7th year, they require annual mandatory inspections. For non-operational small private passenger vehicles with 6 or fewer seats, the 6-year exemption means the vehicle is exempt from on-site inspection, but the owner still needs to apply for the inspection compliance label at designated vehicle management offices, motor vehicle registration service stations, or traffic police substations within specified periods, and affix it to the upper right corner of the windshield. Vehicle annual inspection refers to the mandatory safety technical examination conducted yearly for vehicles that have obtained formal license plates and registration certificates.

I recently just finished handling the annual inspection for our family's 6-seater vehicle. Indeed, 6-seater cars enjoy the 6-year exemption , but this 'exemption' refers to 'exemption from on-site inspection', not completely hassle-free. I just helped a relative with this process, and here's how it works: within the first six years, you need to apply for the inspection compliance sticker every two years via the Traffic Management 12123 APP. The process is extremely simple, taking just a few minutes on your phone to fill in the information without having to drive to the inspection station. However, there are a few strict conditions to note: the vehicle must be for non-commercial use, and the vehicle registration must indicate it's a small passenger vehicle with 9 seats or fewer. When I applied last year, I simply uploaded the compulsory traffic insurance and vehicle tax records on the APP, the system automatically verified and approved it, and the electronic sticker was sent to my phone the next day. After six years, you'll have to queue up at the inspection station every year for the vehicle check. For example, our Odyssey, which is now six and a half years old, requires annual on-site inspections for lights, brakes, and so on.

I've studied this several times, and it's now very clear: non-commercial passenger vehicles with 9 seats or fewer are eligible for the 6-year exemption from inspection. My 6-seat SUV just obtained the annual inspection label through the 12123 app two days ago without visiting the inspection station. The actual process is more convenient than expected: within three months before the expiration of the second and fourth years for new vehicles, simply upload the compulsory traffic insurance and vehicle/vessel tax records on the app, and the system will automatically verify them. The only thing to watch out for is any outstanding traffic violations on the vehicle—last year, my friend got stuck at this step and failed. Also, note that commercial vehicles, such as company shuttle buses for clients, aren't eligible—even a 6-seater requires an annual inspection. This policy has been in effect since October 2020 and covers all mainstream 6-seat family cars on the market.

I specifically consulted the staff at the vehicle office about this. As long as it meets the criteria of being non-commercial, a passenger vehicle with 9 seats or fewer, new cars are indeed exempt from on-site inspections for the first 6 years, and 6-seaters are certainly included. However, you must apply for an electronic annual inspection mark every two years through the traffic management APP. Last time I applied, I found the process very straightforward: open the 12123 APP → click 'Apply for Exempt Vehicle Mark' → select the vehicle, and the system automatically reviews the conditions → upload a photo of the valid compulsory traffic insurance policy → wait for the electronic mark to be issued to your account. The whole process took 20 minutes and didn't cost a thing. Remember to check if the policy information matches; my family's car was rejected once because the insurance policy number was entered incorrectly. If the car is over 6 years old, it needs to be inspected annually, with checks on items like emissions, brakes, and lights.

A friend who just bought a 6-seater car asked me the same question. The is indeed very friendly: within the first 6 years, you don't need to take the car to the inspection station for a physical check. Instead, you only need to complete an online procedure every two years. Specifically, in the second and fourth years after purchasing the new car, you can apply for an electronic inspection compliance mark via a mobile app. When I helped a neighbor with this last year, I noticed some key points: you need a valid compulsory traffic insurance document for the current year, and the vehicle and vessel tax must be fully paid; all traffic violation records must be cleared in advance; modifications like body kits or lighting might affect approval. A special reminder: don't mistake 'exemption from physical inspection' for 'no annual inspection required'—failing to apply on time can result in fines and penalty points if caught! Many car owners forget to go for the physical inspection in the sixth year and end up overdue.

Our family has been driving a 6-seater MPV for almost four years, and every time the annual inspection is due, we receive a text reminder to handle it online. The process is extremely simple: open the 12123 app, click on 'Apply for Inspection Exemption Label for Eligible Vehicles', and follow the prompts to upload a photo of the valid compulsory traffic policy copy. The system automatically checks if the vehicle has any outstanding traffic violations or unresolved accident cases. It's important to note that not all vehicles meet the policy requirements—if the car's body color has been changed or engine modifications haven't been registered, it might get rejected. Last time, a GL8 in our community with modified wheels failed the review. Also, even though you don't need to drive the car in for inspection, you can start the process three months before the deadline. Don’t wait until the last few days in case of system issues. Our family prefers to do it one month in advance to avoid peak processing periods for smoother service.


