Don't be caught out by Euro 5

We've been living with ADR 79/03 for three years now, but that Australian Design Rule, which equates to the Euro 5 emissions standard for new vehicles released since 2013, will be joined by 79/04 – applying to all light vehicles sold in Australia -- from tomorrow (November 1).

What does all that mean?

If you've bought a brand-new design of car in the last three years – or an existing design with a brand-new engine – you can be 90 per cent certain the car will comply with the current emissions ADR.

If you've bought a car recently, and it's not altogether new, and not powered by a recently-developed engine – recent being within the last five years – you may be getting around in a car that only complies with Euro 4, which equates to ADR 79/02.

If you buy a car after November 1, there's a better than even chance you'll be stepping into a new car that complies with Euro 5 (ADR 79/04). But that's not a dead-set certainty.

If you're buying a car that has been in dealer stock for a month or more, or you're buying a locally built Ford or Holden, which have received dispensation to remain Euro 4-compliant for now, there's a pretty good chance you're buying a Euro 4 (ADR 79/02) car.

On top of that, even checking the Green Vehicle Guide and RedBook won't give you a definitive answer as to whether the vehicle you're buying is up to Euro 5, 79/04 standard.

Many cars, according to both industry authorities, are yet to be homologated for Euro 5 compliance. But RedBook advises that there could be some lag in the car companies sharing data, which may yet flow through during the coming week.

Until then, we would counsel caution, if you want to buy a car that's as green as Kermit the Frog.

On the other hand, if Euro 5 just sounds like the latest dance band to you, then have no fear. Owning a car that's only Euro 4-compliant is unlikely to have much effect on running costs or resale value.

ADRs and ECE standards:
ADR 79/02 - Euro 4
ADR 79/03 - Euro 5 for new vehicles from November 2013
ADR 79/04 - Euro 5 for all light vehicles from November 2016

Vehicles that, as far as we can determine, continue to be compliant with Euro 4 include:

Locally built Fords and Holdens
Fiat 500 1.4
Ford Ranger
Hyundai i30 diesel
Hyundai Santa Fe diesel
Hyundai Veloster
Infiniti QX80
Isuzu D-MAX and MU-X
Jaguar XF and XJ diesel
Jeep Wrangler diesel
Kia Cerato
Kia Rio
Land Rover Range Rover SDV8 and SCV8
Land Rover Discovery diesels
LDV V80
Lexus GS 450h
Mitsubishi Mirage
Mitsubishi Lancer
Mitsubishi Pajero
Nissan Micra
Nissan Pulsar
Nissan 370Z
Nissan GT-R
Nissan Patrol Y62
Proton Preve
Suzuki Grand Vitara
Suzuki Jimny
Suzuki Swift Sport
Suzuki S-Cross
Volkswagen Multivan and Caravelle TDI400