How to Check a Car's Emission Standard Level?
2 Answers
Here are the detailed methods to check a car's emission standard: 1. Check the relevant content on the conformity certificate: The vehicle conformity certificate contains many key pieces of information, including the emission standard, which will clearly indicate the national emission standard implemented by the vehicle. 2. Check the environmental information accompanying vehicle list: When purchasing a car through official channels, the accompanying documents will include an environmental information list. The first section related to vehicle information includes an item for the emission stage, which will indicate whether the model is China 5 or China 6. 3. Query through specialized websites: After identifying the model you intend to purchase, you can find specific vehicle identification numbers in its related documents, such as the engine number and frame number. By entering these numbers on the Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection Website, you can query the relevant vehicle environmental information, including the implemented emission standard.
As a seasoned driver with over 20 years of experience, checking your car's China emission standard is pretty straightforward. First, locate the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on your car—it's usually a 17-digit code found at the lower left corner of the windshield or in the engine compartment. Pay special attention to the 10th character: digits 0 to 9 represent cars manufactured between 2000 and 2009, while 'A' stands for 2010 or 2020, and so on—each letter corresponds to a specific year, like 'J' for 2018. Once you know the manufacturing year, you can roughly estimate the emission standard; for example, 2018 models are China V. A more direct method is to check your vehicle registration certificate or the supplementary page of your driving license—the environmental information section usually clearly states the emission standard. Nowadays, online tools make it even easier: just visit the DMV website or download a car app, enter the VIN, and you'll get the exact info. I learned this the hard way when I bought a used car without checking—it turned out to be China IV, and I ended up being restricted from driving in urban areas, causing a lot of hassle. So remember this trick to avoid wasting money and trouble.
