What is the emission standard for cars after 10 years?
2 Answers
Cars after 10 years are generally China III or China IV emission standard. Here are specific methods to check your vehicle's emission standard: 1. Check the vehicle's environmental protection label: There are clear markings on the back of the label. 2. Inquiry at the vehicle management office: Bring the motor vehicle registration certificate (original or copy) to the vehicle management office for inquiry. 3. Check the vehicle's factory certificate: Generally, the vehicle certificate is kept at the vehicle management office. Therefore, it's recommended to make a copy when purchasing a car for backup. 4. Determine by the vehicle's registration year: Most vehicles registered after 2008 are China IV standard. For vehicles registered in 2007, they could be either China III or China IV. Vehicles registered before 2007 are mostly China III or China II standard, while those registered before 2005 are basically China II standard.
Having dealt with cars frequently, I've noticed that vehicles around 10 years old generally maintain their original emission standards from the factory. For example, cars produced in 2014, now in 2024 after a full decade, were mostly compliant with China's National IV emission standard back then, with some approaching National V, but they certainly don’t automatically upgrade to National VI or anything like that. Over time, engine efficiency declines, and aging components like the catalytic converter can worsen exhaust pollution, often leading to urban driving restrictions in core areas due to such emissions. In terms of maintenance, I believe changing the engine oil and cleaning the intake pipes can help, but the core emission standard remains unchanged. The future trend is that all new cars will start from National VI, with increasingly strict environmental regulations. Owners of older vehicles should stay vigilant—repairing when necessary or considering an upgrade can save a lot of hassle. Ultimately, a vehicle’s environmental certification is fixed; checking the production year and factory records makes it clear.
