How to Distinguish Between China 5 and China 6 Emission Standards When Buying a Car?
3 Answers
How to distinguish between China 5 and China 6 emission standards when buying a car: 1. Vehicle Conformity Certificate: Each vehicle comes with a Vehicle Conformity Certificate stamped by the manufacturer or signed by the responsible personnel for vehicle conformity upon leaving the factory; 2. Environmental Information List: This document explains the vehicle's environmental impact and directly indicates the emission standard it complies with. By reviewing this list, consumers can clearly determine the vehicle's exhaust emission stage; 3. Vehicle Qualification Certificate: The qualification certificate is a crucial document for a car and is required for vehicle registration. Only vehicles with a qualification certificate meet the national requirements for motor vehicle equipment quality and related standards.
When I changed cars a few years ago, I paid special attention to this. The main difference between China 5 and China 6 lies in the emission standards. The simplest way is to open the hood or check the environmental label sticker on the inside of the door, which clearly states GB China 5 or GB China 6. The vehicle's registration certificate or conformity certificate must also include this information, and the salesperson must provide it when buying a new car. Remember that implementation times vary by region; for example, Shanghai started enforcing China 6 as early as 2019. If you're buying a used car, make sure to check these original documents—don’t just judge by appearance. China 6 vehicles are more popular in urban restricted zones and command higher resale prices. I’ve encountered sellers being vague, so verifying it myself saved me trouble.
As someone who frequently helps relatives with car purchases, I've found that the most reliable way to distinguish between China 5 and China 6 emission standards is by checking the production year and vehicle model. Generally speaking, cars produced between 2017 and 2019 are likely to be China 5 compliant, while those after 2020 are almost all China 6, but specifics depend on manufacturers like Toyota's certain older models. Before buying, always check the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on the small label at the lower left corner of the windshield. Input it into the Autohome APP to decode the emission standard. I used this method last time to eliminate a China 5 car, avoiding potential inspection issues later. Don't forget to check the vehicle manual or insurance policy, as they sometimes include emission details. In short, do your research and don't cut corners.
