Is Car Wash Required for Vehicle Inspection?

[MatteoAnn]

There is no mandatory requirement to wash the car, but it is better to have it washed before the annual inspection. Documents required for annual inspection: Original "Motor Vehicle License Plate Application Form" (signed by the authorized person for company vehicles or by the owner for private vehicles), Motor Vehicle Compulsory Traffic Accident Liability Insurance Certificate, copy of the vehicle and vessel tax payment or tax exemption certificate, original Motor Vehicle Safety Technical Inspection Certificate, and original Motor Vehicle Driving License. Annual inspection time regulations: The annual inspection time for a car is determined by the date of its initial registration. For example, if the registration date on the Motor Vehicle Driving License is June 2015, then the annual inspection time is every June. Additionally, according to Article 40 of the newly revised "Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations", the owner of the motor vehicle can apply for the inspection compliance mark at the vehicle management office up to three months before the expiration of the vehicle inspection period. This means that vehicles due for inspection in June can undergo the annual inspection in April, May, or June.

[DelJoy]

I've been driving for over ten years and I usually wash my car before the annual inspection. If the car is too dirty during the exterior check at the inspection station, like when the license plate is covered in mud, you'll have to redo it. Last month when I took my SUV for inspection, I deliberately skipped washing it to save a few bucks, but the staff said the windshield was too dusty to clearly see the chassis number imprint. They made me go wash it on the spot, which wasted half an hour. Actually, washing your car isn't just about looks—excessive dust buildup in the engine compartment could also affect the emissions test. The annual inspection could normally be done in one morning, so don't lose big by trying to save small. Washing your car makes the inspectors' job easier and saves you trouble too.

[BeckettFitz]

As someone who often accompanies clients for vehicle inspections at 4S shops, I genuinely recommend washing the car beforehand. Inspection stations require that the vehicle body must not have dirt obscuring license plates or lights, and many places will outright refuse to inspect dirty vehicles. I've seen too many cars fail due to dust-covered light covers causing insufficient light transmittance, or mud on the chassis blocking the VIN. Just last week, a car owner didn't wash their car, resulting in brake discs and wheel hubs caked with mud that led to a failed brake test. Actually, it's quite convenient to do it yourself—just use a high-pressure washer to rinse the wheels and chassis.

[Rowan]

From a cost-saving perspective, there's no need for professional car washing—just wipe the key areas yourself. The inspection mainly checks if the license plate and VIN locations are clearly visible, and that the windshield isn't too dirty to obstruct vision. Bring a bucket of water and a cloth, spend ten minutes before departure to clean the front/rear license plates, windshield, and VIN location. My 13-year-old car has passed inspections this way every time, only once getting a reminder about bird droppings on the hood. Inspection stations also have temporary washing spots—if you really need it, an on-site wash costs just 20 yuan.

[Maya]

Seen this often at inspection stations, it's recommended to wash your car before going. The exterior inspection requires photos to be uploaded to the system, and a dirty car can affect recognition. Especially for new cars with sunroofs, stains on the roof are very noticeable in photos. Stones and mud stuck in tire treads can also interfere with the undercarriage inspection. Most importantly, checking the brightness of your lights while washing can save you from discovering dim bulbs covered in mud during the inspection. Last time, a commercial vehicle had to be re-inspected because dust on the taillight cover caused insufficient brightness.