What is the Critical Inspection of Motor Vehicles?
3 Answers
Vehicle approaching annual inspection (safety technical inspection) means that small and micro non-operating passenger vehicles must be inspected once every 2 years within 6 years; operating passenger vehicles must be inspected once every year within 5 years. If an operating motor vehicle passes the safety technical inspection within the specified inspection period, it will not be subject to repeated safety technical inspections. Below is Article 16 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China": Motor vehicles shall undergo safety technical inspections according to the following periods from the date of registration: (1) Operating passenger vehicles must be inspected once every year within 5 years; after 5 years, they must be inspected once every 6 months. (2) Trucks and large and medium-sized non-operating passenger vehicles must be inspected once every year within 10 years; after 10 years, they must be inspected once every 6 months. (3) Small and micro non-operating passenger vehicles must be inspected once every 2 years within 6 years; after 6 years, they must be inspected once every year; after 15 years, they must be inspected once every 6 months. (4) Motorcycles must be inspected once every 2 years within 4 years; after 4 years, they must be inspected once every year. (5) Tractors and other motor vehicles must be inspected once every year.
My old car just underwent a critical inspection last year, which is essentially an in-depth check required when a vehicle approaches its scrapping age or when its safety performance is about to fall below standards. Regular annual inspections are typically done once a year, but this one might need to be done every six months, focusing on critical areas like brake pad wear, exhaust emissions, and chassis rust. For example, vehicles over 15 years old or with mileage exceeding 600,000 kilometers must have their braking systems tested for stopping distance, and exhaust emissions must be checked with high-precision equipment. Last time, my neighbor's car got stuck due to a rusted-through chassis, costing thousands to repair. This type of inspection is actually mandated by the state to prevent old and unsafe vehicles from being on the road. We should also maintain our cars regularly, asking mechanics to check key parts during oil changes to avoid bigger issues. By the way, some areas now offer online appointment scheduling for inspections, and you can even find nearby stations on your phone.
After driving for ten years, the most dreaded moment is the critical vehicle inspection, especially for transport fleets who know just how stringent this checkpoint can be. Simply put, it's an expedited inspection arranged when a vehicle's condition teeters on the edge of danger—issues like delayed brake response or faulty taillight connections are scrutinized under a magnifying glass. Beyond routine checks, inspection stations may dismantle the engine to examine carbon buildup and use oscilloscopes to test circuit stability. My worst experience was a leaking power steering pump hose, completely unnoticed by me, which earned a red warning slip during inspection. Remember: vehicles over 10 years old or those barely passing annual inspections should be on high alert. It’s wise to self-fund a pre-inspection three months early—often, replacing air filters and spark plugs can prevent major overhauls. Some cities now even offer subsidies for critical inspections, helping older vehicles save on testing fees.
