What is the emission standard for a 15-year-old car?
3 Answers
15-year-old cars comply with the China V emission standard. Methods to check a vehicle's emission standard include: 1. Inspecting the vehicle's environmental protection label; 2. Logging into the website of the Motor Vehicle Exhaust Pollution Supervision and Management Center for inquiry; 3. Checking the vehicle's factory certificate; 4. Roughly estimating based on the year of vehicle registration; 5. Visiting the vehicle management office with the original or a copy of the motor vehicle registration certificate for inquiry. The automobile emission standard refers to the national standards for motor vehicle pollutant emissions, which regulate the content of harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and carbon smoke emitted from vehicle exhaust.
Having worked on cars for many years, I've seen plenty of vehicles from 2015, most of which comply with the China IV emission standards. Simply put, it's the fourth stage of tailpipe pollutant limits, designed for gasoline vehicles to control carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and the like. Emission standards directly affect whether your car passes the annual inspection—some cities like Beijing enforced stricter rules earlier. China IV cars are still usable but require timely maintenance of the catalytic converter, or you'll face inspection issues. To check your car's emission level, look for the emission mark in the vehicle registration document or verify the 10th digit of the VIN code to avoid being overcharged for repairs. Emissions impact the environment—China IV is better than previous generations but lags behind China V, so pay attention when choosing a car to reduce exhaust pollution. Regularly replacing the air filter can help maintain emission efficiency and give you peace of mind on the road.
I bought a used 2015 model two years ago and found out it's a China IV emission standard during an inspection. Simply put, the standard reflects how clean the car is—poor emissions might mean restrictions in certain zones or faster depreciation. I always worry about the tailpipe test during annual inspections, but thankfully it passes each time, which I credit to diligent maintenance like keeping the oil fresh to minimize carbon buildup. Before purchasing, I consulted friends who said most 2015 cars were China IV, but in big cities with rapidly changing policies, opting for China V would be wiser for future-proofing. Emissions affect both the environment and personal budgets—checking the certificate records ensures stability and peace of mind. Don't be tempted by cheap low-standard cars to avoid extra repair costs later.
