Which Year's Vehicles Are China III Standard Cars?
2 Answers
2008 saw the implementation of the China III emission standard for vehicles. Below are specific methods to check which emission standard a vehicle belongs to: 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, either the original or a copy, to the vehicle management office for inquiry. 3. Check the vehicle's factory certificate: Generally, the vehicle's factory certificate is kept at the vehicle management office. Therefore, it is advisable to make a copy for backup when purchasing a car. 4. Determine based on the vehicle's registration year: Most vehicles registered after 2008 are China IV standard. Vehicles registered in 2007 may be either China III or China IV standard. Vehicles registered before 2007 are mostly China III or China II standard, and those registered before 2005 are mostly China II standard.
I've been driving heavy trucks for over a decade and remember the China III vehicle timeline clearly. Generally speaking, vehicles produced between 2007 and 2011 mostly comply with China III standards, but this varies by model type: light-duty vehicles were mandated from July 2007, while heavy-duty diesel vehicles didn't start until 2008. Recently when helping a friend check a used vehicle, I saw a 2008 Jinbei light truck engine still bearing the China III label. Different provinces had varying transition periods too - cities like Beijing and Shanghai already had local standards as early as 2003. Now in 2023, many urban areas have banned China III vehicles entirely, so it's best to check the official environmental protection website data when purchasing a vehicle.
