How to Check Whether a Car is China 5 or China 6 Standard?

[May]

Here are the methods to distinguish between China 5 and China 6 standard vehicles: 1. Query on the Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection Website; 2. Inquire at the Vehicle Management Office; 3. Check the vehicle's environmental protection label; 4. Review the vehicle's factory certificate. China 5 and China 6 refer to the standards established to implement the Environmental Protection Law of the People's Republic of China and the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Law of the People's Republic of China, aiming to prevent pollution from exhaust emissions of compression-ignition and gas-fueled ignition engine vehicles, protect the ecological environment, and safeguard human health. The differences between China 5 and China 6 include: 1. Different implementation times: China 5 standard was implemented in December 2017; China 6 standard was implemented in December 2014. 2. Different sulfur content limits: China 5 standard allows no more than 10mg per kilogram; China 6 standard allows no more than 50mg per kilogram.

[ColeRose]

Open the passenger door and check the nameplate on the B-pillar! There will be prominent 'China VI' or 'China V' markings. For new cars, the most accurate method is to check the conformity certificate—the emission standard is clearly stated on the fourth page. If buying a used car, ask the seller to provide a photo of the environmental protection vehicle list—the orange-yellow document will display the emission level in the middle section. As a last resort, pop open the hood: China VI vehicles are typically equipped with a carbon canister solenoid valve and a particulate filter exhaust pipe, while China V vehicles are much simpler. Last time I helped a friend inspect a car, this method exposed a used car falsely claiming to be China VI.

[OliveLynn]

The easiest way is to check the vehicle's VIN code. That 17-digit alphanumeric combination at the bottom left corner of the windshield - just copy it into the public query section of the 'Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection Website', and it'll instantly show whether it's China 5 or China 6. Taking a photo of the vehicle license with your phone also works; nowadays, WeChat mini-programs like 'VIN Check' can automatically recognize it. Some cities have particularly strict traffic restriction policies, like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen - it's recommended to directly check the local environmental protection bureau's official website, where entering the license plate number will display the information clearly. Remember, China 6 is further divided into phases a and b, with the Pearl River Delta region generally requiring China 6b for vehicle registration.

[DelClara]

Check these three spots for the most reliable verification: 1. The third item on the vehicle factory certificate clearly states 'GB18352.6-2016' for China 6 (National VI), while '2013' indicates China 5 (National V); 2. The environmental label on the windshield—yellow background with bold 'VI' signifies National VI; 3. The engine model suffix, where National VI engines mostly carry letters D/F. Last time at the DMV, I saw mechanics using metal detectors to inspect exhaust pipes, mentioning that National VI vehicles have a dual setup: catalytic converter + particulate filter. However, the simplest method is to ask the 4S dealership to print the environmental information sheet—the 'Phase VI' label there can't be faked.