Emission expert opinion

The emission characteristics of vehicles do not only have an impact on the environment, but also on the motor vehicle tax, that we have to pay. The calculation of the motor vehicle tax is charged in reference to the emission key code, which assigns each car to the appropriate pollution/ emission category. The engine displacement and the overall weight of a certain vehicle are also considered in the calculation of the annual motor vehicle tax.

Once an emission key code is assigned to a vehicle from the United States and registered in the motor vehicle registration certificate (see under “1” in the motor vehicle registration certificate), it doesn´t necessarily have to stay like that forever. Quite a number of US-models fulfill a better emission category as they were assigned for with their key code in the motor vehicle registration certificate, even though no technical changes have been made. That simply happens, if during import or when the motor vehicle registration certificate is issued, no emission (expert) opinion is available.

AutoAmerica has access to quite a few emission (expert) opinions for US-vehicles. Therefore we often can answer questions of customers, regarding changing the emission key, as follows:

By the way: the bigger the engine displacement, the bigger the tax savings. And of course a better emission category or emission key code also increases the resale value of your vehicle. Additionally the classification of environment stickers is made by the particular emission key code. Therefore: the better the emission category, the better the environment sticker. Your car gets to drive in certain environment areas.

Just ask us, if the key code of your US-car can be reassigned. The assigned key code can also be found in your vehicle registration document. Old vehicle registration documents show it under “1” (the last two digits of the 6-figure number). In the new motor vehicle registration certificate, part 1, the key code can be found at “14.1” (last two digits). To your information: Since 10.01.2005 the registration certificate, part 1 has been issued instead of the vehicle registration document.