What is the emission standard for a 2004 car?
4 Answers
2004 cars comply with the China II emission standard. Methods to check vehicle emission standards: 1. Check the vehicle's environmental protection label, which has clear markings on the back. 2. Visit the website of the Motor Vehicle Exhaust Pollution Supervision and Management Center for inquiry. 3. Bring the original or copy of the vehicle registration certificate to the DMV for inquiry. 4. Check the vehicle's factory certificate. 5. Make a rough judgment based on the vehicle's registration year. Most cars registered after 2010 are China IV; some 2009-registered cars are China III while others are China IV; cars registered before 2008 are generally below China IV standard, meaning China II or China III vehicles.
When it comes to vehicles from 2004, most of them would fall under the China II emission standard. I remember that China officially implemented the China II standard on July 1, 2004, so new cars produced in the second half of the year had to comply with this requirement. If a car was produced in the first half of the year, the transition might not have been fully completed, and some might still be classified as China I. However, overall, most 2004 vehicles in the market were registered as China II. To confirm, owners can check their vehicle license or environmental label for detailed markings, or simply enter the VIN online for a quick lookup. The change in standards was mainly aimed at reducing exhaust pollution and improving air quality, but it also brought some impacts. For example, China II vehicles now face restrictions in many major cities, and during annual inspections, owners might be required to upgrade their emission systems. I recommend that owners of older vehicles regularly check their labels and not skimp on maintenance—always opt for genuine parts. Otherwise, failing the emission test after a few years could become a major hassle.
I've been driving a 2004 car for over a decade, and its emission standard is China II, because the policy was just updated to this level in 2004. To identify it clearly, the simplest way is to check the vehicle's environmental certification or enter the VIN code on the official platform, and you'll get the result immediately. This standard means the car's pollution control is a bit stronger, but compared to the current China VI, it's much more lenient, so it often faces restrictions when entering environmental zones, affecting travel convenience. I think car owners need to pay attention to local regulations, especially in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen where restrictions on older cars are severe—don't let small issues cause big problems. At the same time, regular maintenance can extend the car's lifespan, and protecting the environment is everyone's responsibility.
As someone who frequently maintains vehicles, cars from 2004 typically fall under the China II emission standard. China introduced new regulations in 2004, and many vehicles met the standards. For inspection, go to a service station—they can quickly verify it by checking the label or database. Remember, emission levels affect annual inspection pass rates and maintenance costs, so proper upkeep is crucial.
