Will replacing halogen lights with LED lights affect the annual inspection?
2 Answers
Whether replacing halogen headlights with LED headlights can pass the annual inspection depends on the specifications and performance of the modified headlights. If the modified headlights meet the national requirements in terms of color temperature, brightness, and beam angle, which affect driving safety, they can pass the annual inspection. Two main aspects are checked: Whether the brightness meets the requirements, meaning the brightness must not be less than 1400 lumens. Whether the beam angle is up to standard, as long as the high and low beam angles are normal. Essentially, if the modified LED headlights do not compromise driving safety, they can pass the annual inspection smoothly. Relevant regulations for vehicle annual inspections: Vehicles that fail the annual inspection must be repaired within a specified period. If they still fail after the deadline, the vehicle management office will confiscate their license plates and prohibit further driving. Vehicles that do not undergo the annual inspection without reason or fail the inspection are not allowed to drive on the road or be transferred. Vehicles that meet the scrapping conditions or exceed the prescribed service life will not be inspected, and their license plates will be revoked, their records deleted, and they will be scrapped.
As someone particularly interested in car modifications, I've changed my headlights several times, including replacing the factory halogen bulbs with LED ones. I believe the key factor affecting the annual inspection is whether the modifications comply with regulatory standards. During the inspection, the focus is on whether the brightness, scattering angle, and beam pattern of the lights meet the required standards. For example, if LEDs are installed without lenses, the light may scatter too much or be too bright, leading to failure. Proper LED kits should match the original car's beam pattern, and the color temperature should not exceed 6000K to avoid blue light, which could raise concerns from inspectors. Through discussions in car enthusiast circles, I've learned that in many places, as long as the modifications are done properly and certified bulbs are used, such as HID lens models, they can pass the annual inspection while also improving nighttime visibility. However, avoid randomly connecting wires yourself, as voltage mismatches can cause short circuits and blow fuses, leading to more trouble. In short, legal modifications are fine and can save energy while extending bulb lifespan, making them worth trying.
