What are the consequences of not having a car inspected on time?
3 Answers
The consequences of not having a car inspected on time: Vehicles that fail to undergo annual inspection on time are not allowed on the road; driving a vehicle without timely inspection will result in 3 penalty points and a fine; if an accident occurs involving a vehicle that has not been inspected, the party involved will bear full or primary responsibility, and the insurance company will not compensate; driving without timely inspection is considered illegal driving and may lead to vehicle impoundment; according to the "Mandatory Scrapping Standards for Motor Vehicles," if a vehicle fails to obtain an inspection qualification mark for three consecutive inspection cycles after the expiration of the inspection period, it will be forcibly scrapped. The procedure for annual inspection: First, after submitting the inspection application, the vehicle undergoes an online inspection. The vehicle is driven into an automatic inspection area to test exhaust emissions, speed, lights, side slip, and chassis for compliance with standards. Only when all items pass can the vehicle proceed. Next is the appearance inspection, verifying the vehicle's license plate, type, body color, engine number, VIN code, and frame number for accuracy. Then, the vehicle's exterior is inspected, including details such as the bumper, engine compartment, rearview mirrors, lower mirrors, window glass, paint, engine operation condition, and the interior of passenger vehicles and wheels. Finally, the owner can obtain the inspection report and application form from the inspector. If all inspection items pass, the owner can proceed to pay the inspection fee and receive the vehicle license and qualification label; if any items fail, the owner must repair the vehicle and participate in a re-inspection until it passes before proceeding with the visa procedures.
I always feel it's quite dangerous not to get the annual vehicle inspection done on time. What if there's a minor brake issue that goes undetected? Suddenly failing on the highway could lead to a major accident. Isn't the annual inspection meant to check critical components like lights and tires? Last year, a friend of mine skipped it out of laziness, and his car broke down on the roadside. To make matters worse, the insurance company refused to cover the repair costs. The towing fee was also quite expensive, and in the end, the fine he had to pay was more expensive than the regular annual inspection. More importantly, vehicle hazards could lead to accidents, endangering both the driver and others. I saw news reports saying some accidents were caused by vehicles that failed their annual inspections. I suggest everyone not to delay and get it done early—it's both worry-free and safer. Nowadays, many places even offer online booking, making it very convenient.
As someone who loves to be frugal, I've realized that skipping the annual vehicle inspection is really not worth it. For example, the fine starts at a few hundred yuan and increases the longer you delay, sometimes even doubling. If you're unlucky enough to be stopped by the police, they can deduct points, confiscate your license, and even tow your car, adding towing fees on top of that. The most painful part is the insurance issue—claims can be denied after an accident, leaving you to cover the repair costs yourself, which is a huge loss. The resale value of your car also drops, as buyers are hesitant to purchase a vehicle with an expired inspection. I once delayed it by a week and almost got into trouble, so now I've learned my lesson and set reminders. Remember, the money spent on fines could be used for so many better things—why waste it on violations? Saving costs starts with paying attention to the details.