"I've owned my car for three years now, and I keep getting reminders about the annual inspection, but I'm not sure how often sedans need to be inspected-do I have to go every year?" Xiao Wu looked puzzled as he checked the text message notification on his phone. He had heard from friends that new cars didn't need inspections for the first few years, yet colleagues told him that once a car reached a certain age, frequent inspections were required; he couldn't figure out the actual rules. Sedan inspections are a crucial part of ensuring road safety, and the frequency varies significantly depending on the vehicle's age. Today, we'll explain the inspection schedule for sedans in detail and highlight the convenient features of the "Jiaoguan 12123" (Traffic Management 12123) app for this process.
Sedans within 6 years of registration: Inspected once every 2 years (no physical inspection line required)
Scope and Inspection Details
For non-commercial small or micro passenger cars (i.e., standard family sedans), a "six-year inspection exemption" policy applies within six years of the initial registration date:
Owners must apply for an inspection certificate from the vehicle administration office every two years, but the car does not need to be driven to a testing station for a physical line inspection;
The inspection process primarily verifies information such as whether there are any outstanding traffic violations and whether the Compulsory Traffic Accident Liability Insurance is valid.
Xiao Wu's car had just turned three years old, placing it squarely within the six-year exemption window. He applied for the inspection certificate online via the "Jiaoguan 12123" app and completed the entire process without ever leaving his home. He remarked, "I thought the inspection would be a hassle, but it turned out to be so simple-I got it all done online in just over ten minutes."
Important Notes
If the vehicle has been involved in a traffic accident resulting in casualties, it must undergo a physical line inspection, even if it is within the six-year exemption period;
The inspection application must be submitted within three months prior to the expiration date (you can check the expiration date via the "Jiaoguan 12123" app); driving a vehicle with an expired inspection status will result in a fine.
For instance, one owner whose car was involved in a minor scrape (with no casualties) during its fourth year remained eligible for the "six-year inspection exemption," whereas another owner was required to undergo a physical line inspection in the second year because their car had struck a pedestrian. Passenger cars aged 6–10 years: Physical inspection required once every 2 years
Adjustments to inspection frequency and requirements
Starting in 2022, the Ministry of Public Security optimized the annual inspection cycle. For passenger cars aged 6 to 10 years, the inspection frequency was adjusted from "once a year" to "once every two years":
Physical inspection is required in the 6th and 8th years;
No inspection or application for an inspection sticker is required in the 7th and 9th years.
Consider a car owner whose vehicle has just reached the 6-year mark: under the new regulations, he only needs to take the car to an inspection station for physical testing in the 6th and 8th years. This means one less trip compared to the old rules, saving both time and effort.
Items covered in physical inspection
Physical inspection includes checks on the vehicle's appearance (e.g., verifying that the body color matches registration records and checking for unauthorized modifications), safety performance (e.g., brakes, lights, and tires), and exhaust emissions. If any item fails to meet standards, repairs are required followed by re-inspection; the vehicle only passes the annual inspection once all items meet the requirements.
For instance, one owner's car failed the physical inspection in its 6th year due to exhaust emissions exceeding limits; it only passed and received the inspection sticker after undergoing repairs and a subsequent re-inspection.
Passenger cars aged over 10 years: Physical inspection required once a year
Inspection frequency and stringency
Once a passenger car has been in use for more than 10 years, it must undergo physical inspection once a year, and the testing standards are stricter:
Safety performance is a key focus, checking for signs of aging in components such as the engine, transmission, and braking system;
Exhaust emission requirements are more rigorous, making older vehicles more likely to be deemed unfit for continued use due to emission failures.
Old Mr. Zhou has been driving his car for 12 years and takes it for inspection on schedule every year. He says, "Although I have to make a trip to the inspection station annually, catching and fixing problems early gives me peace of mind while driving."
Mandatory scrapping after failing inspection three consecutive times
If a passenger car aged over 10 years fails the inspection for three consecutive cycles, it is deemed to have met the criteria for mandatory scrapping, and the vehicle administration office will cancel the vehicle's registration. Therefore, owners of older vehicles should pay extra attention to routine maintenance to ensure the car can pass the inspection. One car owner whose vehicle was 15 years old failed the annual inspection twice in a row; only after spending several thousand yuan on a major overhaul before the third attempt did the car barely pass, narrowly avoiding being scrapped.
Useful features of the "Jiaoguan 12123" (Traffic Management 12123) app for annual inspections:
Check inspection validity
After logging into the app, you can view the "Inspection Validity Expiration Date" for your car under the "My Vehicles" section. This allows you to know the date of your next inspection in advance and avoid missing the deadline.
Xiao Wu used the app to find out that his car's next inspection was due in 2026 and set a calendar reminder to ensure he wouldn't forget.
Apply online for the inspection compliance sticker (applicable to cars within the 6-year exemption period)
For cars within the 6-year exemption period, you can apply for the inspection compliance sticker directly via the app: select "Apply for Exemption-from-Inspection Sticker," upload your compulsory traffic accident liability insurance policy (data can be retrieved automatically if linked), and-once approved-the sticker will be mailed to your home or made available for pickup at the vehicle administration office.
One car owner applied for the sticker via the app while away on a business trip; it was mailed to his home in just three days, causing no disruption to the vehicle's use.
Schedule an in-person inspection
For cars requiring an in-person inspection, you can book a testing station and time slot through the app: select "Vehicle Annual Inspection Appointment," check queue status at nearby stations, and choose a convenient time to minimize waiting on-site.
A car owner booked an inspection for 9:00 AM on a weekday; upon arrival, he used the dedicated appointment lane and completed the entire inspection process in just one hour.