Motor-vehicle inspection (Japan)

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Aichi Toyota Anjo Shaken center (2021)

Shaken (車検), a contraction of Jidōsha Kensa Tōrokuseido (自動車検査登録制度, "automobile inspection registration system"), is the name of the vehicle inspection program in Japan for motor vehicles over 250 cc in engine displacement.

Reason for existence

Officially, the inspection system is in place to ensure that vehicles on Japanese roads are properly maintained and are safe to be on the road. Another reason is to determine if a vehicle has been illegally modified. Illegally modified vehicles and vehicles deemed unsafe will have a red sticker with the following: fuseikaizousha (不正改造車) (illegal vehicle) in yellow and the date the vehicle was declared not fit to be on the street.

Registration and cost

The registration and inspection process may be performed by the owner of the vehicle, though it is most commonly contracted to a professional mechanic or a dealership. The cost for the shaken is broken up as follows:

  • Paperwork fee
  • Inspection fee
  • Compulsory vehicle insurance[1]
  • Vehicle weight tax[2]

For a new registration, there are also additional fees for registration and number plates.

A typical third-party shaken for a small or normal sized passenger vehicle costs between ¥100,000 (US$806) and ¥200,000 (US$1,612). [3] However, these prices often include large service fees so the cost of a self-performed "user" shaken is much lower, although exact prices are dependent on the size, weight and age of the vehicle.[4]

Renewal periods

An initial inspection occurs at the vehicle's first registration, and renewal inspections must then take place at prescribed intervals thereafter.[5]

Type of Vehicle Valid Term
First inspection From the 2nd inspection
Trucks over 8 tons 1 year 1 year
under 8 tons 2 years 1 year
Buses/Taxis 1 year 1 year
Rental passenger vehicles 2 years 1 year
Large-sized Special Motor Vehicles 2 years 2 years
Regular Passenger Vehicles
"Kei" Passenger Vehicles
Kei trucks
Motorcycles
3 years 2 years

Vehicles with an engine displacement of 250 cc (15 cu in) or less are exempt and therefore not required to undergo an inspection.[citation needed]

Testing process

The process of the shaken involves these steps:

  1. An exterior inspection to ensure the vehicle meets Japanese exterior regulations and does not have illegal exterior modifications such as extreme body kits that increase the exterior dimensions.
  2. A wheel alignment inspection to ensure the vehicle has its wheels in-line and can turn correctly.
  3. A speedometer inspection to ensure the vehicle's speedometer is accurate.
  4. A headlamp inspection to ensure that the vehicle's headlights are correctly placed and aligned.
  5. A brake inspection to ensure the brakes work correctly.
  6. An exhaust gas/muffler inspection, which includes testing carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions along with exhaust noise levels.
  7. An undercarriage inspection, which includes looking at
    suspension
    parts.

Should a car not meet any of the tests, it will have to be repaired and retested before passing.

Requirements

Exterior

  • Tailpipes
    : Tailpipes are not allowed to protrude past the car's body, however tailpipes that are built into the side of the vehicle are allowed.
  • Body kits/Aero parts: Aerodynamic mirrors, windage trays under the tail section of the car and body kits using front bumper scoops are allowed. However, all aerodynamic parts must fit and be molded correctly so they are flush with the car's body.
  • Fenders and overfenders: All fenders and overfenders (including widebody style-kits) must not inhibit the turning of the car's wheels (which must be able to turn 30 degrees inward and 50 degrees outward).
  • Spoilers: All spoilers (aftermarket or original equipment manufacturer) must not be wider than the car's rear and must be bolted to the car's trunk.
  • fog
    and driving lamps are permitted. All devices must function correctly and emit or reflect the required colours of light.
  • Windows: No tint can be present on driver and passenger side windows, however commercial UV window blocker is allowed.
    Lexan windows are not allowed unless they are approved via a case by case basis. Stickers/banners on the front windshield and rear glass are not allowed. Etching on the windows, except for vehicle identification number
    information, is not allowed.

Speedometer

The speedometer of the car is tested by driving on a dynamometer. The vehicle will be accelerated to 40 km/h twice and the vehicle's speedometer reading is recorded. If the reading is different, it will not pass.[citation needed]

Headlamps

All

left-hand traffic, emit white or yellow light, and be aimed correctly. Kei cars built 2006 and older are allowed white or yellow headlights, while kei cars built 2007 and newer are only allowed to have white headlights. Incorrect headlight colour, depending on the person's knowledge during the inspection, will result in a fail.[citation needed
]

Exhaust and Emissions

Cars under 10 years old may emit not more than 1%

oxygen sensors must be in working order along with any oil catch tanks.[citation needed] Exhaust noise is tested at a 45-degree angle, 50 centimetres (20 inches) from the tailpipe outlet[citation needed]. Vehicles up to 10 years old may emit not more than 96 decibels; older vehicles are allowed 103 dB.[citation needed
]

Suspension

No bushings may be broken or in bad condition. All

4 wheel steering, it must be working. The vehicle must also meet minimum height requirements, which will be checked by referencing the lowest part of the vehicle (not including the suspension components). For vehicles with 200–249 cm wheelbase
they must be 8 cm off the ground and vehicles with 250–299 cm wheelbase they must be 9 cm off the ground. For all other vehicles for every 50 cm over 299 cm in wheelbase add .5 cm to the minimum height and for vehicles under 200 cm in wheelbase subtract .5 cm to the minimum height.

Interior

General interior equipment must be intact (i.e.: dash).

fiber-reinforced plastic
are not allowed. Any holes or rips in seats must either be taped or repaired.

Older vehicles

As vehicles get older, maintaining them to the required standards can become expensive. Most Japanese do not get involved in mechanical repairs, and as a result, mechanics can charge high prices.[citation needed] Vehicles that cannot pass inspection are not permitted on public roads. Unwanted vehicles must be exported or destroyed and recycled. Many Japanese used vehicles are exported once it is no longer cost-effective to keep them in service in Japan.

See also

References

  1. ^ Compulsory vehicle insurance article (Japanese)
  2. ^ Vehicle weight tax article (Japanese)
  3. ^ "Driving in Japan". Japan-guide.com. 2010-04-30. Retrieved 2011-09-05.
  4. ^ "Shaken cost calculator (Japanese)". Annai-center.com.
  5. ^ "National Agency of Vehicle Inspection, Category of Vehicle Inspection (Japanese)". Navi.go.jp. Archived from the original on 2011-09-03. Retrieved 2011-09-05.

External links