Before a car can be sold a representative model is tested to ensure compliance with minimum safety and environmental standards. One of the tests relates to exhaust emissions. To tackle the increasingly important issue of air quality, successively more stringent emission requirements have been introduced for new cars. In addition to tighter emissions limits these requirements include the introduction of durability, on-board diagnostic and cold start requirements.

Over recent years European exhaust emissions standards have become known as ‘Euro’ standards. The database contains cars approved to Euro III and IV emissions limits. Euro III is the current standard and was phased in from 1st January 2000. A further tightening of the emissions standards, known as Euro IV, begins on 1st January 2005 and will be in force for all new cars by 2007. Some cars which already meet the Euro IV emissions limits are also listed in the database although they may not comply with all requirements which will be mandatory by 2005.

When searching for a vehicle on the database please bear in mind that there could potentially be two different sets of figures shown for a given model depending on the Euro standard to which it is approved. When ordering your selected vehicle you should ensure that the dealer understands which Euro standard you require. If you are looking at a stock vehicle the dealer should be able to confirm which standard it meets. For further, more detailed information, refer to the English or Welsh text shown under the main menu options.

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