How much longer can National IV vehicles be driven?

[MacSawyer]

At least five years without traffic restrictions. Additional information: Before implementing new policies, there will always be a grace period. After the introduction of National VI standards, it will take at least about 3 years for traffic restriction measures to be introduced. According to convention, these measures should target National III vehicles, so National IV vehicles can still be driven for several more years without issues. National IV and National V vehicles account for nearly 70% of the total vehicle population nationwide. National VI vehicles alone cannot meet the current demand, so the government will not introduce traffic restriction measures for National IV vehicles in the short term. By the time the government takes mandatory measures against National V and IV vehicles, these vehicles will have almost reached their service life. The average lifespan of a vehicle is only about ten years, so after ten years, these vehicles should be replaced.

[DeMia]

I just replaced my decade-old China IV vehicle last year, and now the policies vary greatly across regions. In major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, China IV trucks are basically banned in urban areas, while passenger cars can still run but can't enter core zones. I heard that key regions might implement full restrictions before 2025, and China VI models already accounted for 70% of new car sales last year. My old buddy failed the annual emissions test last year, and it took three repairs costing nearly two thousand yuan. If you frequently drive in urban areas, I'd suggest budgeting for a replacement—used car prices have dropped sharply, now selling for at most 30% of their original value.

[AylaDella]

I just checked the new environmental regulations yesterday, and China IV gasoline vehicles are not subject to mandatory scrapping for now. But the Yellow Label Vehicle policy is like boiling a frog in warm water: first, restrictions in core areas of key cities, followed by annual inspections enforcing stricter emission standards. Look at how many provinces now ban China IV diesel trucks from urban areas. I suggest checking your local traffic police app—for example, Hangzhou's West Lake scenic area added a China IV restricted zone last year. If your car is over eight years old, set aside a 3,000 yuan annual repair fund, as the catalytic converter or oxygen sensor might fail any day.

[DelNathan]

I'm in auto repair, and the biggest hurdle for China IV vehicles is the OBD test. The new annual inspection rules now require connecting to the onboard computer to read fault codes. Many older cars have excessive carbon buildup, causing oxygen sensors to be inaccurate, and nitrogen oxide emissions can exceed limits in minutes. Last week, there was a 2009 Camry that still failed after cleaning the catalytic converter, and the owner had no choice but to scrap it. However, policies are more lenient in smaller towns—like our county, where China II vehicles are still on the road. The key is to check the emission stage on your motor vehicle registration certificate. If the 10th digit of the VIN is 'D,' it’s a China IV vehicle. I recommend installing a vehicle condition monitoring app to keep an eye on emission data in real time.

[BellaFitz]

Uncle Zhang, my neighbor, is still driving his National IV Passat, but he mentioned that he now exclusively refuels at Sinopec stations, as private gas stations tend to trigger the malfunction indicator light. Actually, how long a National IV vehicle can remain on the road largely depends on the region: Hebei and Shandong have added new restricted zones this year, while Yunnan and Guizhou haven't made any moves yet. Remember to replace the air filter in advance before the annual inspection and use 5W-30 full synthetic engine oil to increase the chances of passing the emissions test. A car dealer I know mentioned that the resale value of National IV sedans has dropped below 20,000 yuan. If you frequently drive long distances, it might be better to take advantage of the trade-in subsidies before they end and upgrade your car.