Why is the Malfunction Indicator Light On After Vehicle Annual Inspection?
2 Answers
If the malfunction light comes on after the annual inspection, it doesn't necessarily mean your car is broken. It could be a false alarm caused by the vehicle's computer misjudgment. During operation, cars may generate false alarms and fault signals due to external interference. Here's relevant information about vehicle annual inspections: 1. Purpose: To ensure vehicles on the road maintain good, stable, and safe conditions. Eliminate potential safety hazards and guarantee driving safety. 2. Inspection Items: In addition to exhaust emission testing, the inspection includes checking safety equipment such as warning triangles and fire extinguishers, verifying if the vehicle's color and appearance match the photo on the registration certificate, checking for traffic violations, and conducting on-site tests for exhaust emissions, brakes, lights, chassis, etc.
When I went for the vehicle inspection last month, the check engine light suddenly came on, which really surprised me. The staff explained that the annual inspection process is like a high-intensity test that can reveal minor issues usually hidden in the vehicle. The most common problem is with the emission system, such as carbon buildup on the oxygen sensor or a failing catalytic converter, where the load during testing triggers the warning light. It could also be due to unstable generator voltage affecting the computer system. Don’t worry—most of the time, it’s not a major fault, and you can use an OBD device to read the trouble codes and diagnose the issue. I recommend getting it checked at a repair shop promptly, as ignoring it could affect the inspection results or even shorten the engine’s lifespan. Regular maintenance, such as periodically checking components under the hood, can greatly reduce such surprises.
