How to Check Whether It's China 5 or China 6?

[KinsleyMarie]

To check whether it's China 5 or China 6, you can use the following methods: 1. Vehicle manufacturing certificate; 2. Vehicle environmental protection standard list; 3. Check the vehicle conformity certificate. The difference between China 5 and China 6 lies in the carbon monoxide emission: China 5 emission is 1000mg; China 6 emission is 700mg. China 5 stands for the National Fifth Stage Emission Standard for Motor Vehicle Pollutants, while China 6 stands for the National Sixth Stage Emission Standard for Motor Vehicle Pollutants. Both China 5 and China 6 regulate the content of harmful gases emitted from vehicle exhaust, including carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and soot.

[FernandoAnn]

The most straightforward method is to check the Vehicle Conformity Certificate or the Environmental Protection Information List, both of which are delivered with the car at the time of purchase. Last time I helped a friend inspect a car, I specifically checked this—on the third page of the Conformity Certificate, under the vehicle emission standards section, it clearly states whether it's China 5 or China 6. If the documents are lost, don’t worry. Nowadays, all cars have an oval-shaped yellow environmental label in the lower right corner of the windshield, which indicates "China VI" for China 6 or "China V" for China 5. Additionally, the nameplate on the door frame displays the vehicle model number. Entering this number into the public query platform of the Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection Website will give you the specific emission information in just five seconds. The production date can also serve as a reference—most cars produced after 2019 are generally China 6 compliant—but the most accurate method is still checking the certificate or the website.

[DeLorenzo]

I once did thorough research when selling a used car. My suggestion is to first check the environmental protection sticker on the windshield - that yellow label is prominently placed and directly indicates the emission standard (Guo Ji). If the label has been removed, open the passenger door frame to locate the vehicle identification plate and photograph the complete model number. Take this model number to the Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection Inquiry System, input the VIN and last six digits of the engine number to find complete emission information. Don't forget to check the environmental information sheet or Certificate of Conformity in the vehicle document folder - the emission standard is listed on the first page. As a last resort, you can send a photo of the vehicle registration certificate to the DMV, as their system contains archived records they can check.

[DamianAnn]

The most reliable way to check emission standards is to log in to the Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection Network. I searched for this official website on my mobile browser, clicked on the Vehicle Environmental Information Query, entered the 17-digit VIN located at the bottom left of the windshield, plus the last six digits of the engine number, and the results appeared instantly after submitting the verification code. Now you can also check via WeChat mini-programs, such as official tools like 'Environmental Protection Vehicle Query'. Always remember to keep the blue-covered Environmental Protection Vehicle List, as the second page has the emission standard stamped. Additionally, you can check the new car's invoice date; vehicles manufactured after July 2020 are mostly China VI standard.

[Ethan]

Here's a practical tip: Open the car's front hood and locate the vehicle identification plate near the shock tower or radiator frame, which contains the complete vehicle model and production date. After taking a photo, you can compare it using the motor vehicle environmental protection catalog query function in the traffic management bureau's app. My car uses an electronic environmental protection document, which can be accessed by inserting a USB drive into the car's infotainment system. Nowadays, 4S shop after-sales systems can check emission standards via the VIN, and it's also convenient to provide the number over the phone. There's a general rule regarding model years: Cars purchased in 2018 are mostly China 5 compliant, 2019 models started differentiating between China 6a and 6b, and vehicles bought after 2021 are basically all China 6b compliant.

[IrisDella]

Checking this mainly relies on three key documents: the vehicle factory certificate, the environmental compliance list, and the DMV registration records. The factory certificate is archived during registration and can be printed upon request at the DMV. The compliance list is now mostly electronic and can be downloaded from the car manufacturer's official website by entering the VIN. The environmental label affixed to the windshield during each annual inspection also indicates the emission level. Note for owners of older cars: vehicles from 2004-2008 are generally China II or III, those from 2010-2017 are China IV or V, and post-2018 models gradually transition to China VI. Once during a repair, I found an environmental information plate on the exhaust pipe, but it was hidden and hard to locate, so I recommend checking official records first.