How to Check a Car's Emission Standard (National Standard Level)?
2 Answers
Methods to check a car's emission standard (national standard level) are: 1. Check the vehicle's factory certificate; 2. Refer to the vehicle's environmental protection standard list; 3. Examine the vehicle conformity certificate. Automobile emission standards refer to regulations on the permissible levels of harmful gases emitted from vehicle exhaust, including carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and soot. China's automobile emission standards are categorized as: 1. National Phase I Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard; 2. National Phase VI Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard; 3. National Phase III Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard; 4. National Phase IV Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard; 5. National Phase V Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard; 6. National Phase VI Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard.
To check your car's emission standard, such as China IV or V, I've tried several methods myself. The easiest way is to open the vehicle registration certificate (the large green booklet), which contains detailed records of the emission level like China 5 or 6. Alternatively, pop the hood and locate the VIN label—usually found in the engine compartment on a yellow-background sticker indicating the emission phase and production year. Cars manufactured around 2010 are likely China 4, while post-2017 models are mostly China 6. Online checks are convenient too—enter your license plate number or VIN on environmental department websites for instant results. Emission standards significantly impact annual inspections; pre-China 3 vehicles may face urban driving restrictions and struggle to pass tailpipe tests. Avoid prolonged idling in traffic as it increases pollution. I recommend owners periodically verify this information to prevent fines in restricted zones, especially with current national eco-policies incentivizing high-emission vehicle replacements.
