Should I Get My Car Inspected at an Auto Repair Shop Before the Annual Inspection?
3 Answers
It is advisable to have your car inspected and maintained at an auto repair shop before the annual inspection. Here are the details: It's best to perform maintenance before the annual inspection: Replace the engine oil, oil filter, and air filter. Check the driving system, braking system, steering system, and power system. Inspect all fluids and top up if necessary. Examine all electrical equipment and check for any rust or damage on the vehicle's exterior. Introduction to Annual Inspection: It refers to the annual inspection, but the term is more colloquial. The annual inspection involves a comprehensive safety check of the car, including the horn, brakes, axle weight, chassis, ignition system, lighting system, exhaust system, license plate installation, etc., conducted annually or biennially.
It's essential to get your car inspected at an auto repair shop before the official vehicle examination. Having driven for over a decade, I always have a mechanic check my car before the annual inspection, focusing on key items like headlight brightness, brake responsiveness, and exhaust emissions. Last year, I went straight to the inspection station, only to be turned away due to faulty brake light contacts. I had to return to the repair shop and wait in line again, wasting an entire day. Spending around a hundred yuan for a pre-inspection allows you to fix any issues on the spot, ensuring a smooth pass at the DMV. Older cars, in particular, are prone to excessive exhaust emissions, and addressing this beforehand can save you the 500-yuan re-inspection and repair fee.
It's a wise choice to visit an auto repair shop before the vehicle inspection. My experience suggests getting a check-up one week in advance—first, check if the tire tread depth is sufficient, then ensure all lights are functioning properly. Once, a friend skipped the pre-check and went straight for the annual inspection, only to fail due to insufficient headlight brightness. He had to urgently borrow my car to visit a lighting modification shop and ended up losing three days' wages. Now, my neighbors and I always remind each other to perform exhaust cleaning and chassis inspections beforehand. Although it means an extra trip to the repair shop, it saves the hassle of repeatedly visiting the inspection station.