What Maintenance Should Be Done Before a Vehicle Inspection?
2 Answers
Before a vehicle inspection, maintenance should be performed on the body, lights, and braking performance. The details are as follows: Braking Performance Maintenance: The braking performance of a vehicle is one of the most important indicators of its safety and is a mandatory check during the inspection. Therefore, the braking system should be inspected in advance before the inspection. Body Maintenance: The exterior of the vehicle must match the details on the registration certificate. Self-inspection should be conducted on parts such as the license plate fasteners, screws, wipers, and paint. Additional modifications like large body kits, spoilers, altered exhaust pipes, or oversized tires that affect the vehicle's appearance will not pass the inspection. Owners must remove these modifications and restore the vehicle to its original condition before the inspection. Lighting Maintenance: During the inspection, the vehicle management office will check the vehicle's lights. If the lights are found to be too dim or too bright, the vehicle will be deemed unqualified and will not pass the inspection. Therefore, the vehicle's lighting should be checked in advance before the inspection.
Last year, I took my car for its first annual inspection without any preparation, and it failed due to lighting issues, costing me both time and money. Now, I’ve learned to do a small maintenance check before the inspection: first, check all bulbs, such as front and rear lights, brake lights, and turn signals, to ensure they all work. Tires are crucial—adjust the tire pressure to the recommended value on the door label, and make sure the tread depth is no less than 1.6mm, checking for any bulges or cracks. The braking system needs testing—listen for unusual noises and check if the brake discs have sufficient thickness. Fluids, including engine oil and coolant, should be at adequate levels; top them up if necessary. Don’t overlook the emission system—I use an OBD scanner to quickly check for fault codes, and cleaning the air filter can help meet emission standards. Ensure the body has no major damage and the suspension is stable. A week before the inspection, take the car to a shop for a comprehensive check—it’s affordable and hassle-free.
