Drivers have the options of importing a car, buying new or used through a dealer, or going through a private sale. Importing is probably the least attractive option (unless you desperately want a particular model), as the process is costly and the car may not pass Beijing’s emissions inspection. The best deals can often be found through private sales, but these are riskier than buying at a dealership.

Buying a car in Beijing is surprisingly easy. You don’t even need to be a Beijing resident; simply take your passport to the dealership. For the sake of convenience, the best places to go to are 4S (sales, service, spares and survey) dealerships, which will help you through the registration process.

When buying a used car, try the same bargaining techniques (disinterest, disgust, and, occasionally, walking away) that you would at any Beijing market. Most used car dealers will offer to pay the transfer-of-ownership fee for you, but you should still be able to cut at least 10% of their initial asking price.