How to Determine Whether a Car Meets China 5 or China 6 Emission Standards?
2 Answers
Methods to determine whether a car meets China 5 or China 6 emission standards: You can check the vehicle's conformity certificate or the environmental information list that comes with the car; you can also look at the vehicle model number on the car's nameplate; alternatively, you can visit the Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection website, enter the vehicle model number and the correct verification code, then click 'Query' to find the vehicle's relevant information, including the emission standard. Emission standards are labeled with Roman numerals. The automotive emission standards are established to implement environmental protection laws, reduce and prevent pollution from vehicle exhaust, protect the ecological environment, and ensure human health. The implementation of the China 6 standard imposes stricter requirements on pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons.
I often encounter this issue when helping family and friends check cars, and distinguishing between China 5 and China 6 emission standards is actually quite simple. The most common method is to open the co-pilot door frame or engine hood to find the nameplate, which usually has an environmental protection label marked with 'China V' or 'VI'—you can tell at a glance. For new cars, pay attention to the manufacturing year: those produced after 2019 are mostly China 6, while earlier models might be China 5, especially in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, where China 6 is the standard. I also prefer checking the vehicle conformity certificate or registration certificate, as they have a clear section on emission certification, explicitly stating the standard. The key is not to be careless—some old car owners forget to check, which can affect transfer or traffic restrictions. With current high environmental requirements, it’s best to avoid trouble later. Simply put, pay more attention to the car’s labels or ask the 4S store staff—they provide professional answers quickly.
