What Are the Consequences of Not Undergoing Annual Vehicle Inspection?
3 Answers
Consequences of not undergoing annual vehicle inspection: 1. Vehicle impoundment and fines: For vehicles that fail to undergo annual inspection, traffic police may impose a 3-point penalty on the driver according to the Road Traffic Safety Law and temporarily impound the vehicle; 2. No accident compensation: According to the Motor Vehicle Third-Party Liability Insurance regulations, if an accident occurs when the insured vehicle has not undergone the required annual inspection or fails the inspection, or if the vehicle lacks valid documentation, the insurer will not be liable for compensation. The insurance contract stipulates that it only applies to qualified and legal vehicles. In addition to refusing compensation for accidents involving vehicles that have not undergone timely annual inspection, the insurer will also deny claims for stolen vehicles.
I used to skip the annual vehicle inspection for convenience, but once I was stopped by traffic police and fined 500 yuan plus penalty points—it was heartbreaking. Later, I heard that if the inspection expires, the insurance becomes invalid. In case of a rear-end collision or hitting a tree, I’d have to pay for repairs and medical bills out of pocket, potentially losing thousands. Vehicle hazards are even more dangerous—a friend almost hit a pedestrian because his unchecked lights failed, which could have had dire consequences. If you skip inspections for two consecutive years, your driver’s license could be revoked, and your car might end up scrapped, making the purchase worthless. Now, I remind myself to go on time. Spending a little to check brakes and lights ensures safe driving, which is the real money-saver. Don’t follow my lazy example—fines are minor, but safety is everything.
From a legal perspective, skipping annual vehicle inspections incurs fines starting from at least 100-200 yuan, with varying regulations across cities—major cities may impose penalties over 1,000 yuan. It also results in point deductions affecting driving records, and accumulating too many points could require retaking the driver's license test. Insurance companies pose even bigger headaches—they won’t cover accident losses if the inspection is invalid, leaving you to shoulder all risks. Delaying too long may lead to police forcibly impounding or scrapping the vehicle, disrupting daily life and travel. I’ve seen a neighbor neglect this and suffer heavy fines before rushing to complete the inspection, discovering aged tires that were replaced just in time to avoid a blowout accident. So, timely inspections aren’t just formalities—they’re crucial steps to protect both your wallet and safety. Don’t procrastinate.
