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

[IsabelLynn]

To determine whether a car meets China 5 or China 6 emission standards, you can: 1. Check the vehicle's factory certificate; 2. Refer to the vehicle's environmental standard list; 3. Examine the vehicle conformity certificate. The differences between China 5 and China 6 standards are: 1. Different carbon monoxide emissions: China 5 allows 1000 mg while China 6 permits 700 mg. 2. Different emission limits: China 5's limit is 0.0045 g per kilometer whereas China 6's limit is 0.25 g per kilometer. China 5, officially named 'National Fifth Stage Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard', and China 6, 'National Sixth Stage Motor Vehicle Pollutant Emission Standard', both regulate the permissible levels of harmful emissions from vehicles including carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, particulates, and soot.

[WalterAnn]

Determining whether a car meets China 5 or China 6 emission standards is quite simple, mainly relying on everyday tricks to verify. There's usually a metal plate on the side of the door that directly states the emission standard number, such as GB18352.5 for China 5 or GB18352.6 for China 6. If the plate is too old to read clearly, I can go online and enter the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to check, as many car websites or mini-programs now offer free query tools. When buying a car, remember to check the registration certificate or environmental compliance list, which clearly states the standard. As someone who drives frequently, I also pay attention to the vehicle's manufacturing date—most China 5 cars were produced before 2017, while China 6 gradually replaced them after 2019. This distinction is quite important, especially in restricted zones where it affects driving permissions, and it also significantly impacts used car prices. Regular maintenance and early detection of emission issues can save a lot of trouble, especially as environmental requirements continue to tighten.

[VanTucker]

I believe the most reliable method is to check the vehicle's official documents, where all environmental information is clearly recorded. For example, the Vehicle Conformity Certificate or the Environmental Compliance List explicitly states the emission standard symbol—if it's China 5, it will directly say 'China 5,' and similarly for China 6. I make it a habit to bring a magnifying glass when buying a car to carefully review these documents, especially for newer models that generally comply with the latest regulations. The VIN code is also a critical point—entering it into a professional vehicle query platform yields very accurate results. With policies changing rapidly, China 6 was implemented in multiple phases, such as the full enforcement in 2020, marking a clear divide compared to China 5's implementation in 2017. This directly impacts practical use—for instance, China 6 vehicles pass environmental tests more easily at inspection stations. I've encountered many owners who overlooked this, leading to annual inspection delays and extra costs. In short, keeping all documentation complete makes verification both convenient and reliable.

[LeElisa]

To determine a vehicle's emission type, follow these basic steps: First, check the label near the engine, which clearly indicates whether it's China V or China VI. If not found, refer to the vehicle manual or search online using the VIN. The production date is a good clue—cars manufactured before 2017 are mostly China V, while those after 2020 mostly comply with the new China VI standard. During my usage, I noticed some performance differences between emission types—China VI vehicles have slightly better noise control. A reminder: always verify this in the used car market, as China VI vehicles hold higher value to avoid being misled.