What are the new regulations for small vehicle annual inspections in 2021?

[Amy]

According to the new regulations, the 2021 annual inspection standards involve six cancellations and three new additions. The specific regulations are as follows: Previously, annual inspections followed two sets of testing standards: safety technical inspection and comprehensive performance testing. Simply put, the former is a static inspection, primarily checking whether the vehicle's exterior has undergone unauthorized modifications, such as changes to the sports bumper, exhaust pipe, air filter, etc. Unlike the static inspection, comprehensive performance testing covers a wide range of items, including speed error, power performance, suspension performance, etc. Compared to static inspection, dynamic testing is more stringent, as failure to meet standards in a single item often results in inspection failure. According to GB38900-2020 "Motor Vehicle Safety Technical Inspection Items and Methods" released in 2020, these two sets of testing standards will be merged into one. Users will no longer need to undergo two separate sets of tests during annual inspections, significantly improving efficiency and convenience. The most significant changes in the new annual inspection standards are the cancellation of six inspection items and the addition of three new testing points. The canceled items include speed detection, speedometer error detection, onboard noise detection, electronic parking brake detection, headlight deviation detection, and suspension detection. The cancellation of speed detection is particularly welcomed by vehicle owners. During the test, the inspector would accelerate the vehicle to full throttle on a dynamometer. Since some vehicles were not in a warmed-up state, engine explosions and spontaneous combustion were not uncommon during inspections. Additionally, the ambiguous electronic parking brake and noise tests, which often failed to meet standards, have been canceled. The former was prone to external influences, potentially causing brake system failures, while the latter lacked clear noise emission criteria, drawing criticism from many owners. The three new additions are tire tread depth detection, vehicle wheelbase detection, and vehicle lifting device inspection. These are relatively routine tests, and most unmodified household vehicles should pass without issue. Furthermore, the scope and frequency of inspections have also changed. Following the 2020 "streamline administration, delegate power, and improve services" reform by the traffic management authorities, the new regulations extend the exemption from inspections to non-operational passenger vehicles with 7-9 seats (excluding minivans) within six years, in addition to the existing exemption for non-operational vehicles with up to six seats. For vehicles older than six years but less than ten years (excluding minivans), the inspection cycle has been relaxed from annual inspections to biennial inspections. This means private vehicles will only need two inspections within ten years, at the 6th and 8th years. It's important to note that the six-year exemption does not mean no inspection is required. New vehicles within six years do not need to visit inspection stations, but owners must still visit the local vehicle management office every two years to complete formalities and obtain the inspection compliance mark. Pre-inspection preparations: Ensure all outstanding fines are paid; The vehicle's appearance must match the photo on the registration certificate; All lights and instruments must be functional; Brake performance must be good (handbrake and footbrake); All windows must be intact, without reflective film; Tire treads on the same axle must be consistent; No detachable or flip-up license plate holders; No illegal modifications or non-standard alterations, avoiding unnecessary modification costs; A reflective warning triangle must be equipped. Documents required for inspection: "Motor Vehicle Inspection Mark Application Form" (provided on-site); Original and photocopy of the vehicle registration certificate, along with a photocopy of the vehicle photo; Owner's ID card. If someone else is handling it, their ID card is required; Copy of the valid compulsory traffic insurance policy; 200-500 RMB in cash. The exemption from on-site inspections has been extended from six-seat to seven-to-nine-seat vehicles, benefiting more private vehicle owners. New vehicles enjoy exemption from on-site inspections for the first six years, and biennial inspections within ten years make the process easier. On-site inspections now include a more practical safety defect recall reminder and optimized appearance checks. The number of on-site inspections has been reduced, while efficiency has improved. For on-site inspections, new regulations specify that vehicles within ten years only require inspections in the 6th, 8th, and 10th years. Other years are exempt, with only the 2nd and 4th years requiring exemption formalities, truly simplifying the process. Appearance checks are also more lenient, focusing on safety while being more tolerant of minor modifications. Private vehicle on-site inspections now have relaxed appearance requirements. Past inspections strictly regulated color, rims, and roof racks, but the new rules are more flexible. Minor modifications to the grille, running boards, bumpers, roof racks, and rims are allowed within regulations, and color requirements are less stringent. This shows that on-site inspections no longer impose strict appearance standards. On-site inspections emphasize safety. While appearance checks are more lenient, safety and performance standards remain strict. For vehicles subject to recall notices, inspectors will remind owners and check for compliance if the recall was overlooked.

[VanJoshua]

As a veteran driver with decades of experience, I'm quite familiar with the 2021 new vehicle inspection regulations. The main changes involve simplifying the testing process and reducing hassles. Non-commercial private vehicles now only require two on-site inspections within 10 years - at the 6th and 10th year marks. For the years in between, owners just need to complete some paperwork to obtain the inspection decal. This is much more convenient than the previous requirement of biennial inspections. The key improvement is that current inspections focus more on safety performance, such as lighting and braking systems. My own car just passed the 10-year mark, and I've already benefited from these new regulations, avoiding annual inspection hassles. Of course, we shouldn't rely too much on policy leniency - regular maintenance like tire checks and brake fluid inspections remains crucial, as safety always comes first. The new rules also expanded the exemption scope for some vehicles, but regulations remain strict for older cars - those over 15 years require semi-annual inspections, which is necessary as road safety should never be compromised.