How to Check Whether a Car Meets China 5 or China 6 Emission Standards?
4 Answers
To check whether a car meets China 5 or China 6 emission standards, you can follow these methods: 1. Check the vehicle's factory certificate. 2. Refer to the vehicle's environmental standard list. 3. Review the vehicle conformity certificate. China 5, fully named as the National Fifth Stage Emission Standard for Motor Vehicles, and China 6, fully named as the National Sixth Stage Emission Standard for Motor Vehicles, both regulate the permissible levels of harmful gases emitted from vehicle exhaust, including carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and soot. The differences between China 5 and China 6 are: 1. Different CO emission requirements: China 5 allows 1000 milligrams per kilometer, while China 6 reduces it to 500 milligrams per kilometer. 2. Different PM emission requirements: China 5 permits 5 milligrams, whereas China 6 lowers it to 3 milligrams.
When checking my car's emission standard, I love flipping through the factory documents. I open the glove compartment and take out the environmental information list that came with the car at purchase - it clearly states the national emission standard in Chinese. If the document is lost, I crouch beside the passenger door to find the vehicle identification plate, note down the 17-digit VIN, then log into the Ministry of Ecology and Environment's 'Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection Website' via my phone to input the query - results appear within two minutes. Sometimes I also check the duplicate copy of the vehicle certificate under the dashboard, though nowadays it's more convenient to use the WeChat mini-program 'China Automotive Recall' after digitization. The most hassle-free method is calling the 4S店 after-sales service, just provide the license plate number and their system instantly shows whether it's China V or China VI. Actually, checking these isn't just useful for ownership transfer - some cities even restrict China V vehicles from entering downtown areas, so verifying beforehand saves driving headaches.
Last time I helped a friend check the emission standards of a used car, I discovered several practical methods. You can directly open the engine hood to check the vehicle nameplate inside—the model number there holds the secret. Alternatively, open the inside of the fuel tank cap, as some manufacturers kindly place an emission label there. The 'Technical Parameters' page of the vehicle registration certificate also clearly states the emission standard. If your friend doesn’t have the certificate, you can take a photo of the VIN and check it in Alipay’s 'Owner Services.' I also taught him to call the 12369 environmental complaint hotline and pretend to report the vehicle—the customer service will check and tell you the standard. I’ve personally verified all these methods. When buying a car, you need to be especially cautious, as a used National VI car holds its value much better than a National V one.
To check if a car meets China 5 or China 6 emission standards, focus on two key points: time and VIN. First, note the purchase date—cars bought before 2017 are mostly China 5, while those after 2019 are almost all China 6. Then, locate the 17-digit VIN, typically found on the lower left corner of the windshield or the B-pillar label. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment's official website provides a query portal—just enter the VIN and the last six digits of the engine number to check. Don’t overlook the annual inspection sticker either, as some cities print the emission standard on the inspection sheet. For cars with an OBD port, a repair shop’s diagnostic tool can read the data stream to determine the standard. Last time I had maintenance, I asked the technician to check—it even showed whether it was China 6a or 6b, which is far more accurate than visual estimation.
