How to Check the Vehicle's Emission Standard (China)
2 Answers
There are several methods to check a vehicle's emission standard in China: 1. The simplest and most direct way is to look at the vehicle's environmental protection label, which has clear markings on the back. 2. Visit the official website of the Motor Vehicle Exhaust Pollution Supervision and Management Center to inquire. 3. Bring the vehicle registration certificate (original or copy) to the local vehicle management office for inquiry. 4. You can check the vehicle's factory-issued compliance certificate, but these certificates are usually kept at the vehicle management office. It's advisable to make a copy when purchasing a new car for future reference. 5. Make a rough estimation based on the vehicle's registration year. Below is additional reference information: 1. Most vehicles registered after 2008 are China IV standard. 2. For vehicles registered in 2007, some are China III while others are China IV. 3. Vehicles registered before 2007 are generally below China IV standard, meaning they're China III or China II. 4. Vehicles registered before 2005 are mostly China II standard.
As a middle-aged office worker who frequently commutes in the city, I have had several experiences checking vehicle emissions. The simplest and most direct method is to flip through the motor vehicle registration certificate, which can usually be found in the engine compartment or the owner's manual. Around page 10, it clearly states whether the vehicle meets China 5 or China 6 emission standards. I recommend checking this booklet first, as it is an official document and highly reliable. Remember to verify this when buying a used car—the emission level directly affects license plate restrictions and resale value. In major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, China 4 vehicles may face driving restrictions, causing their transfer prices to drop significantly. Additionally, you can check the VIN code on the vehicle's nameplate by entering it into free websites like the Environmental Protection Bureau platform. The entire process doesn’t take much time—just patiently search through the vehicle documents to avoid being misled by false information.
