How to Determine Whether It's China IV or China V?

[MadelynFitz]

Methods to distinguish between China IV and China V are: 1. Check the fuel consumption label on the new car; 2. Look at the nameplate of the new car to find the vehicle model number; 3. Locate the engine model number of the new car; 4. Visit the Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection Website, input the vehicle model number and engine model number to query. The China IV emission standard is the fourth phase of national standards for motor vehicle pollutant emissions. The main pollutants emitted by vehicles include HC, NOx, CO, and PM. Through the application of technologies such as improved catalytic converter active layers, secondary air injection, and exhaust gas recirculation systems with cooling devices, these standards control and reduce vehicle emissions to below specified levels.

[OValerie]

When I bought the car, I specifically asked the salesperson about this issue. In fact, the simplest way is to check the Vehicle Conformity Certificate or the Environmental Protection Information List that comes with the car, which will clearly indicate the emission standard (e.g., China IV, China V). Additionally, the registration certificate also has this information—just look at the registration details on the supplementary page of the vehicle license. If you don’t have these documents on hand, you can estimate based on the car’s production date. Generally, cars manufactured in China after 2017 are mostly China V compliant. When I sold my used car last time, the buyer asked about this, and we easily verified it by checking the records at the vehicle management office—super convenient. Just be extra careful with some models produced around the 2015 transition period; it’s best to have a professional confirm the standard.

[CaliLynn]

Both of our family cars have their emission standards checked by ourselves, and the key is to look at the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Take this 17-digit code to the environmental protection bureau's official website or a third-party platform, and after entering it, it will directly show whether it meets China IV or China V standards. Usually, you can find the VIN at the bottom left corner of the front windshield, and taking a photo with your phone is very convenient. Additionally, although the environmental protection label given when registering a new car is no longer required to be displayed, it is still recorded in the electronic files. Recently, I helped a friend check a used car and got burned—the dealer confidently claimed it was China V, but upon checking, it turned out to be a modified China IV.

[IanLee]

Running an auto repair shop for twenty years, this is the most common question customers ask. Here's the simplest method: Open the engine hood and look for the environmental information label, usually printed on the firewall with the emission standard code. China V is marked as V, and China IV as IV. For older cars without labels, check the production nameplate—most pre-2013 models are China III, and post-2017 models are all China V. If the label is worn out, visit a 4S shop to check the VIN; they have access to the manufacturer's database. By the way, China IV vehicles often don't fill the dipstick completely and have particularly pungent exhaust, while China V models are much milder.

[OThomas]

Last year, when transferring a vehicle, I learned from the traffic police officer that the second page of the green book clearly states the emission standard code. If you don't have the original green book, you can check the registration summary on the supplementary page of the vehicle license. Here's a little-known fact: sometimes there's an environmental label inside the fuel filler cap. Once, when I bought a mortgaged car, I confirmed the emission standard by checking the environmental sticker near the oil filler port. Be especially careful with vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2015, as you might encounter models transitioning between National IV and National V standards.

[JosieLee]

After so many years in used car appraisal, I have a trick to distinguish between China IV and China V standards. First, note down the last six digits of the VIN, then open WeChat and search for the 'Motor Vehicle Environmental Protection' mini-program. Input the information and get instant results. China V vehicles usually have oxygen sensors on the exhaust pipes, and you can spot two catalytic converters under the chassis. The most interesting part is checking the vehicle configuration sheet—even the AC filter models differ. Last time, a customer insisted their 2009 car met China V standards, but the system showed it didn’t even meet China III.