At the Motor Vehicle and Equipment Technical Inspection Center, Quàng Văn Cường from Nà Tấu commune recently brought his truck for a periodic check. Having purchased the vehicle over a year ago to transport event equipment, this marked his second time at the center. Anticipating the stricter rules, Quàng Văn Cường proactively took his truck to a garage for a comprehensive overhaul and technical audit.

Consequently, the inspection process was seamless, with all emission parameters meeting the required thresholds. He noted that regular maintenance and timely oil changes provided him with peace of mind, adding that stricter emission controls are a necessary step to protect the environment and encourage vehicle owners to be more disciplined with their maintenance schedules.

In contrast, Bùi Văn Hợp from Điện Biên Phủ ward found that his 24-seat bus failed to meet the new emission requirements during its periodic inspection. After receiving a clear explanation of the causes and guidance on necessary repairs from the inspectors, he planned to take the vehicle to a garage immediately for corrective maintenance before returning for a re-test.

Data from the Motor Vehicle and Equipment Technical Inspection Center reveals a notable shift in compliance rates. From January 1 to March 11, 2026, the failure rate for emission standards reached 19.96%, an increase of 10.62% compared to the same period last year. Most strikingly, since the official implementation of the new regulations on March 1, the failure rate has surged to 34.4%.

This spike is attributed to a more complex and demanding measurement process. For gasoline engines, besides the traditional low-idle test, vehicles must now be tested at high idle by revving the engine to approximately 2,000 - 3,000RPM to measure output. The test for diesel engines is even more rigorous, utilizing a “free acceleration cycle.” Unlike the previous method of a single throttle press, the new procedure requires inspectors to rapidly floor the accelerator pedal to its full stroke at least four times to reach maximum RPM. The initial press serves as a safety check, while at least three subsequent presses are used to measure smoke opacity and determine emission levels.

The requirement to “floor the pedal” has caused concern among some owners who fear it might damage their engines. Addressing these worries, inspector Nguyễn Văn Hiếu explained that before any measurements are taken, inspectors perform a thorough technical check of the vehicle. This includes verifying lubrication levels, ensuring a minimum oil temperature of 60 degrees Celsius, and confirming the absence of abnormal knocking sounds, blockages, or signs of uncontrolled acceleration. If any anomalies are detected, the test is immediately halted so the owner can seek maintenance.

To ensure the effective rollout of these regulations, the center has optimized its human resources and equipment, with experienced inspectors providing technical consultations to vehicle owners. Vũ Đình Nguyễn, Vice Director of the center, emphasized that if vehicles follow a standard maintenance routine, including replacing oil and air filters, cleaning combustion chambers, and checking injectors and high-pressure pumps, they will have no trouble meeting the new standards. Ultimately, the tightening of these inspections aims to foster a more proactive maintenance culture among owners, ensuring vehicles are road-worthy while significantly contributing to the reduction of environmental pollution.