Which year's vehicles are exempt from OBD inspection?
3 Answers
2010 model year vehicles are exempt from OBD inspection. OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) is an automotive self-diagnostic system with the following functions: 1. Locating and describing faults in specific components to facilitate repairs; 2. Alerting when faults cause excessive emissions, indicating increased environmental pollution. OBD systems include: 1. EGR; 2. Engine; 3. Particulate filter; 4. Catalytic converter; 5. Oxygen sensor; 6. Emission control system; 7. Fuel system. OBD working principle: When emission-related faults occur, the ECU records fault information and corresponding codes, then notifies the driver through illumination of the malfunction indicator lamp or check engine light.
A friend of mine who works at the vehicle management office told me that vehicle inspection policies mainly focus on emission standards rather than the year of manufacture. In most regions, gasoline vehicles produced after October 2016 are required to have an OBD diagnostic port, and these vehicles must have their OBD checked during annual inspections. Last time I accompanied a friend for an inspection, his old 2013 Jetta was required to be tested, as enforcement varies by region. It's advisable to check the local transportation bureau's official website. For example, the Yangtze River Delta region has strict inspections, while some rural inspection stations may relax requirements for vehicles manufactured before 2008. Now, with new energy vehicles, it's even more complicated—hybrid and pure electric vehicles have completely different inspection rules.
Lao Wang, who has been repairing cars for 15 years, told me that this mainly depends on three points: first, whether the vehicle itself has an OBD interface—many imported cars before 2008 simply didn’t have one installed; second, the emission standard—vehicles meeting China IV standards are basically required to be checked; and finally, local policies—for example, some testing stations in mountainous areas of Yunnan don’t strictly enforce checks for cars over 15 years old. Last week, a 2005 Camry came to the shop to have an OBD module installed. In fact, domestically produced cars after 2011 can hardly avoid the inspection. The key is to check the environmental information on your vehicle’s compliance certificate. It’s safest to call the testing station directly for advice.
